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
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Recent Examples of setback
CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
But 2025 was not without setbacks.
—Austin American Statesman, 12 Jan. 2026
Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
Miller set the North Dakota State program record for most completions and passing yards in a single season, passing Carson Wentz’s record set back in 2014.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Noun
Prosecutors had a setback when the testimony of the first teacher to testify was dismissed by the judge.
—CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
But 2025 was not without setbacks.
—Austin American Statesman, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
There are mountains in our country, but these were set back from the coast and had openings through them.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
Miller set the North Dakota State program record for most completions and passing yards in a single season, passing Carson Wentz’s record set back in 2014.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback
Noun
-
To the contrary, though the film is frequently funny, Brewer takes their ambitions and reversals seriously.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
-
State officials said Thursday that the FBI would be solely in charge of Wednesday's deadly encounter, in a reversal from earlier beliefs that the probe would be a dual federal-state effort.—
Maggie Vespa,
NBC news,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The throng at Dutch Flats was held back by a contingent of some 650 Marines from across the street.—
Eric DuVall,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The comedian didn’t hold back in her opening to the Globes ceremony, her second time hosting in a row.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Agents told investigators that one of their colleagues opened fire Thursday after the driver put the truck in reverse and repeatedly slammed into an unoccupied car the agents had rented, smashing its headlights and knocking off its front bumper.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
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As part of its support service to the Royal Navy, Serco intends to purchase 24 vessels, including a mix of ASD tugs, reverse-stern-drive tugs, pilot boats, barges, and crane barges, for which the contract was awarded to Dutch defence manufacturer Damen.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The three tiers are made of durable and strong metal wire that can hold up to five pounds each.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
-
In other words, don’t stand in the aisle and hold up traffic.—
Jillian Dara,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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If Takaichi cannot enact the budget by the end of March, her government would have to compile a stop-gap budget, which could delay execution of spending measures.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
11 Jan. 2026
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For people with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, delaying or not getting care could be fatal.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Seattle allowed only 20 points in the two games this season as the Seahawks have been able to slow down San Francisco's running game while playing primarily nickel defense with two deep safeties to cut down on big passes.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Tucker was slowed by a pair of injuries in his lone season with the Cubs.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The same day, four homeless tribal men in Minneapolis were also detained, Frank Star Comes Out, president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, said on social media.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
-
SkyCal was overhead as officers detained one person.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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 19 Jan. 2026.
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