as in reversal
a change in status for the worse usually temporarily
The explorersz persevered despite suffering setbacks that would have discouraged lesser souls.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to hold back
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of set back
Alexander Smith, NBC news, 25 June 2025
But Iran’s nuclear program has at most been set back a few months, according to a reported initial assessment by U.S. intelligence.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 25 June 2025
Deandre Evans, Mercury News, 25 June 2025
Despite setbacks — including talks of a walkout, which stalled when leadership got wind of the strategic move — the cheerleaders remained steadfast in their pursuit.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for set back
Noun
The strikes were not as effective as Trump said, however, setting back the country's nuclear program by three-to-six months, according to three people with knowledge of an initial Defense Intelligence Agency assessment.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 25 June 2025
But Iran’s nuclear program has at most been set back a few months, according to a reported initial assessment by U.S. intelligence.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 25 June 2025
Verb
While the high-speed rail project has faced undeniable setbacks, exacerbated by global events like the COVID-19 pandemic, the vision persists.
—Deandre Evans, Mercury News, 25 June 2025
Despite setbacks — including talks of a walkout, which stalled when leadership got wind of the strategic move — the cheerleaders remained steadfast in their pursuit.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for set back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for set back
Noun
-
The policy represents a reversal for Fannie and Freddie, the two entities under government conservatorship that guarantee more than half of America’s mortgages.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
25 June 2025
-
Trump and his party have made the rollback of LGBTQ rights a nationwide priority, and more encroachments—perhaps even the reversal of Obergefell—appear to be on conservatives’ radar.—
Emma Sarappo,
The Atlantic,
25 June 2025
Verb
-
Though Trump is holding back, Israel is escalating its attacks on Iran after eight days of conflict.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
20 June 2025
-
Trump believes that higher interest rates are holding back the American economy, and Powell's refusal to cut the rates has caused Trump no end of frustration.—
Amanda Castro
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
Read conducted and a crash reconstruction report showing Read’s SUV moving 87 feet in reverse at about the time O’Keefe’s car locked for the last time.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
16 June 2025
-
Prosecutors allege this is the moment Read put her Lexus SUV in reverse and pressed on the gas, striking O’Keefe and scattering pieces of her vehicle’s taillight across the scene.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
16 June 2025
Verb
-
And all of these advances can’t do much of anything to make the human tendons hold up under the pressure required to support the throws by a Major League pitcher, or the demands by an NBA player.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 June 2025
-
Prime Video’s Countdown is a testosterone-heavy thriller that delivers big action, even when the story doesn’t hold up.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
23 June 2025
Verb
-
President Trump delayed his decision on whether attack Iran for two weeks following a Thursday sighting of Steve Bannon at the White House.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2025
-
These actions did not fully block the strait but caused sharp increases in shipping insurance premiums and delayed maritime traffic.—
Isabel van Brugen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Verb
-
But as local Chinese governments have ramped up their own conferences and the overall economy has slowed, foreign businesses interested in China have not had to rely as much on Summer Davos matchmaking.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
25 June 2025
-
Dillon said the application process for grant money through the Federal Emergency Management Agency slowed progress.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2025
Verb
-
Kelley, 48, was first detained and handcuffed by sheriffs in Utah County, Utah on Friday, June 13.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
19 June 2025
-
There have been similar incidents across the country where immigrants at various stages of legal residency have been detained.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
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
-
Blockchain thus provides companies and banks a way to undo Basel II’s and Basel III’s retarding effect on trade finance while complying with their requirements.—
Rebecca Liao,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Aug. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Set back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20back. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share