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
Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026
Development faced multiple setbacks.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Apr. 2026
Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
Iran’s ability to build and stockpile ballistic missiles and long-range drones has been set back for years, according to the White House.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Noun
Women in politics aren’t having a great week, but women in STEM are not letting a few setbacks … uh, set them back.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026
Development faced multiple setbacks.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
Ripple effects from the Iran war, which began in late February, have swiftly set back progress on inflation and added more pressure for Americans struggling with affordability.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
Iran’s ability to build and stockpile ballistic missiles and long-range drones has been set back for years, according to the White House.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback
Noun
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Since around 2022, dioceses across the country have reported a reversal of that trend, with growing numbers of Americans — particularly Millennials and Gen Z — choosing to join the Catholic Church.—
Brit McCandless Farmer,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
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Since the beginning of the year, the mayor and the Regional Task Force on Homelessness have touted various statistics that show a reversal in the long trend of a growing unhoused population.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The governor also opposed it, telling senators that such planning is best done at the local level and that a statewide moratorium holds back municipalities that want a data center.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
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The Vatican had said fighting corruption in the mineral-rich central African country would be one of the themes of Leo’s visit, and the American pope didn’t hold back in addressing Biya and government authorities in his arrival address at the presidential palace.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Deni Avdija countered with a close-range finish, and after Jordan Goodwin’s reverse layup gave Phoenix the edge in the final 30 seconds, Avdija delivered the decisive blow.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Getting anything to run backwards in a watch that is otherwise running clockwise requires reverse-gear mechanisms that are beyond the scope of this article to explain.—
Allen Farmelo,
Robb Report,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Chefs can only serve it raw or lightly smoked since its cellular structure cannot hold up under high heat.—
Jaia Clingham-David,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
15 Apr. 2026
-
That was being held up by Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, but his departure as prime minister after weekend elections could free up the sum.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Congress allocated money for it, but billions of dollars were delayed due to the shutdown.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Bogey’s Image, ridden by Teddy Davies, appeared to win, only for a lengthy stewards’ inquiry to delay the result as spectators waited along the rails.—
Michael Howes,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Your intense focus can turn initial success into lasting momentum, while positive self-talk prevents burnout if any snags slow the pace.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The injury occurred while running the bases, so Soto has to be able to slow down, speed up and round the bases before returning to play.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
David has only been detained under suspicion.—
Nicole Acosta,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
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The district attorney’s office asked that he be detained without bail, while Morris requested his immediate release.—
Bay City News Service,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 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
-
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 Apr. 2026.
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