SETBACK Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

setback 1 of 2

noun

ˈset-ˌbak

Definition of setback

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

status quo

set back

2 of 2

verb

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 setback

Noun

Due to the setback, the series will now release sometime in ABC’s 2027-2028 TV season. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2026 They were hit with a major setback last week through Rodri’s injury, but the good thing is Frenkie De Jong got back to fitness just in time. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 7 Nov. 2026

Verb

Some warn that Moscow’s aspirations to become a leader in AI development could be significantly set back. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 That’s great, but why does Googlebook OS feel like a bit of a set back from ChromeOS at launch? — Antonio G. Di Benedetto, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for setback

Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback

Noun

And when Here There Are Blueberries does shift its lens the testimony of Auschwitz survivor Lili Jacob, also embodied by Cunningham, and an album of photos that depict the cruelty Höcker’s collection elides, the reversal stuns you.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2026
On Sunday, the reversal on Key's interception sparked the Broncos, who trailed 14-13 at the time, to yet another one-score win, this one breaking the Indianapolis Colts' record of 15 consecutive one-score victories set in 2008-09.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of reversal

Verb

While many families are holding back, with youth unemployment about 18% and income growth lagging, China's household savings still are huge.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026
The company can also expect litigation from shareholders, and possible regulatory action, if Huang or the board held back material information from investors (Nvidia previously denied the allegations of an affair to media outlets).

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 9 Nov. 2026

Definition of hold back

Noun

Odom also caught a three-yard scoring pass from Nolan Hawkins on a double reverse in the third quarter.

— Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Nov. 2026
By keeping the true trunk baseline measurement a secret, Rockefeller Center prevents anyone from reverse-engineering the math to call them out.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of reverse

Verb

For listeners of a particular age and background—too young to properly appreciate Odd Future but holding up as formative Blonde, Flower Boy, and SoundCloud rap—2017’s trilogy of SATURATION albums remains a benchmark.

— H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 9 Nov. 2026
Whether its underlying assumptions hold up against other observations, including measurements of cosmic expansion and the cosmic microwave background, remains an open question.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of hold up

Verb

The resort delayed its opening by a few days to allow for more snowmaking, and a few intermediate runs will be open beginning tomorrow.

— Christa Swanson, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
Chicago Board of Elections spokesperson Julie Metea said final results are delayed because of a surge of 34,000 same-day voter registrations Tuesday.

— Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of delay

Verb

And then there are the places that urge us to slow down and allow the connection between host and visitor to deepen—whether that be on a new hiking route in Armenia or while sailing among the postcard-worthy Cook Islands.

— Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026
Progress in slowing global warming has essentially stalled for the past five years because any steps forward were canceled out by inaction elsewhere.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of slow

Verb

Sacramento City Unified leaders are pressing the city for notifications when ICE operates near schools after a parent was detained blocks from an elementary campus.

— The Sacramento Bee staff, Sacbee.com, 11 Nov. 2026
Families are concerned that they will be immediately detained, advocates say.

— Laura Romero, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of detain

Browse Nearby Words

set at

setback

set back

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Setback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setback. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of setback

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on setback

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

lissome

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes