as in reversal
a change in status for the worse usually temporarily
The explorers persevered despite suffering setbacks that would have discouraged lesser souls.
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to hold back
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of set back
Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
This will be the second time that the Puerto Rican megastar has graced the Super Bowl halftime show stage, having been a guest performer during Shakira and Jennifer Lopez’s set back in 2020.
—Dan Rys, Billboard, 28 Sep. 2025
Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2025
Financing setbacks such as loan defaults, foreclosures and a plunge in property values have begun to haunt a growing number of hotels in the Bay Area.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for set back
Noun
The change seems to set back even further Stockdale’s original vision to introduce new jobs, boost attractions and break open a fortress-like property that has divided downtown communities.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
This will be the second time that the Puerto Rican megastar has graced the Super Bowl halftime show stage, having been a guest performer during Shakira and Jennifer Lopez’s set back in 2020.
—Dan Rys, Billboard, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
After Cobenfy suffered a setback in a separate trial earlier this year, a successful one here could help improve sentiment.
—Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2025
Financing setbacks such as loan defaults, foreclosures and a plunge in property values have begun to haunt a growing number of hotels in the Bay Area.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for set back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for set back
Noun
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The administration is now arguing that the fund is not usable, which Kogan said is a course reversal.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
29 Oct. 2025
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What was the driving factor in that reversal of fortune?—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Schlossberg didn't hold back on his thoughts on the get-up, slamming it on his social media on Friday.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
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However, rev was held back as supply constraints impacted iPhone in the qtr.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Each profile showcases items these personalities have actually worn, streamlining product discovery and eliminating the trial-and-error of reverse-image searching to identify specific pieces, Talu noted.—
Andre Claudio,
Footwear News,
29 Oct. 2025
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The popular pick from Target is made from plush chenille fabric with a faux shearling reverse, giving it a luxurious look and feel at just $20.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Carpenter asked, as Fogelmanis smiled and held up his hands to receive the pink handcuffs.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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The Gesture strikes the perfect balance between plush and firm, providing back support for long days at your desk alongside a thick, comfortable seat that holds up to years of punishment.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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A day earlier, flights were delayed at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, New Jersey’s Newark airport and Washington’s Reagan National Airport because of air traffic controller shortages.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
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His discharge has been delayed due to his father’s detention.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Soluble Fiber Makes Kiwi a Low-Glycemic-Index Food The soluble fiber in kiwi helps slow digestion and control how quickly sugar gets absorbed into the bloodstream, said Charlize Del Rosario, RD, CNSC, a dietitian at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, part of Keck Medicine of USC.—
Maggie O'Neill,
Verywell Health,
28 Oct. 2025
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In times of distress and blood loss, the body responds by slowing circulation to our fingers and our toes, preserving blood flow to our heart, and our brain.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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It is believed that between 7,000 and 10,000 were detained in concentration camps.—
Kate Sosin,
Them.,
31 Oct. 2025
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The sudden assault killed around 1,200 people in Israel and led to the abduction of around 250 more, with more than 67,000 killed in Gaza throughout the ensuing war, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry based in the territory, and thousands more detained.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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
“Set back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20back. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.
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