as in reversal
a change in status for the worse usually temporarily
The explorers persevered despite suffering setbacks that would have discouraged lesser souls.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to hold back
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of setback
Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 21 Feb. 2026
But Jimmy Chin is the exception, filming his climb, avalanches, injuries, and near-fatal setbacks that befall the voyage.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
Torie Bosch, STAT, 7 Feb. 2026
When daylight saving time ends, clocks are set back one hour to standard time.
—Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Noun
The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision was a rare rebuke of the president and marked a significant setback for his signature economic agenda.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 21 Feb. 2026
But Jimmy Chin is the exception, filming his climb, avalanches, injuries, and near-fatal setbacks that befall the voyage.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
That is, clinicians have a duty to restrict the range of clinical options, because medical interventions with unfavorable risk/benefit profiles can set back patients’ health interests rather than protecting or promoting them.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 7 Feb. 2026
When daylight saving time ends, clocks are set back one hour to standard time.
—Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback
Noun
-
Cano was given the overdose-reversal drug Narcan as a precaution, authorities said.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Know More The tariff reversal marks the latest turn in a volatile period for South Africa’s access to the US market.—
Sam Mkokeli,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán doubled down Monday on an unsubstantiated claim that Ukraine is deliberately holding back shipments of Russian oil, and accused Kyiv of seeking to topple his government.—
SAM McNEIL,
Arkansas Online,
24 Feb. 2026
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China has held back from providing enough military support to guarantee Russia’s victory.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Two months ago, a thief stole the control stick from an R train parked under southern Brooklyn — the same section of track where a repeat train thief recklessly threw a train in reverse during a joyride months earlier.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
24 Feb. 2026
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Her moralizing of Vernice’s character, which doesn’t happen in reverse, was fascinating to me.—
Tembe Denton-Hurst,
Vulture,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Hungary, seen as the EU's most pro-Russian member, threatened over the weekend to hold up both the sanctions and the $106 billion loan meant to help Ukraine meet its military and economic needs for the next two years.—
SAM McNEIL,
Arkansas Online,
24 Feb. 2026
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For trips to the grocery store or farmer’s market, grab this darling reusable tote that's on sale for $20 and can hold up to 35 pounds.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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It was also delayed thanks to a series of multiple wet dress rehearsal failures.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Feb. 2026
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Los Altos Hills Mayor Rajiv Bhateja said since taxes are likely unfeasible, the hike could force the the town to lay off 10% of its staff or delay key projects like road maintenance.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The move delivered a major boost to Ukraine’s morale and slowed down Russian advances along the eastern front.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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Ease off the accelerator - Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The same day, an individual is detained by but later released.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
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This includes many opposition figures, activists, journalists, students and others detained during protests in 2014, 2017, 2019 and beyond.—
Alessandra Freitas,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As engine revs increase, centrifugal force alters the valve timing by a few degrees, either advancing or retarding it.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 17,
New Atlas,
17 June 2025
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Genesis Yes, the thing retarding recruitment below pre-2022 levels may be, at least in part, a military-wide health-records update that, much like MyChart in the civilian health-care world, tracks the medications of all service members.—
Luther Ray Abel,
National Review,
9 Feb. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Setback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setback. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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