as in reversals
a change in status for the worse usually temporarily
the colonists persevered despite suffering setbacks that would have discouraged lesser souls
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Recent Examples of setbacks
There have been setbacks along the way.
—
Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
But noise, as well as glare, are typically buffered with vegetative landscaping and setbacks, or the distance between the property line and the nearest structure.
—Anna Clark, ProPublica, 24 Apr. 2026
The president has had a run of recent setbacks, with security lapses chief among them.
—Gonzalo Soto, Bloomberg, 24 Apr. 2026
The museum has faced multiple setbacks and criticism over its design since groundbreaking began in December 2019.
—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
The same upbringing kicked in when her youngest daughter, Anne, faced a series of public setbacks.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
As the video demonstrates, von Ensingen’s drawing (not in the show, alas) collapses all the levels, complete with stairs, setbacks, vaults, and columns, onto a single plane.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 23 Apr. 2026
The project proposed waivers for building setbacks, building separation, landscaping and open space requirements.
—Jim Drummond, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
Camy, a 2017 Thoroughbred mare, had already been through her share of setbacks.
—Ryan Brennan
april 23, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
But noise, as well as glare, are typically buffered with vegetative landscaping and setbacks, or the distance between the property line and the nearest structure.
—Anna Clark, ProPublica, 24 Apr. 2026
The president has had a run of recent setbacks, with security lapses chief among them.
—Gonzalo Soto, Bloomberg, 24 Apr. 2026
The museum has faced multiple setbacks and criticism over its design since groundbreaking began in December 2019.
—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
The same upbringing kicked in when her youngest daughter, Anne, faced a series of public setbacks.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
As the video demonstrates, von Ensingen’s drawing (not in the show, alas) collapses all the levels, complete with stairs, setbacks, vaults, and columns, onto a single plane.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 23 Apr. 2026
The project proposed waivers for building setbacks, building separation, landscaping and open space requirements.
—Jim Drummond, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
Camy, a 2017 Thoroughbred mare, had already been through her share of setbacks.
—Ryan Brennan
april 23, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setbacks
Noun
-
What followed was a series of appeals and reversals that kept Rose on (and off) death row for nearly 50 years.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The Supreme Court upheld the reversals, and the three men later pleaded to voluntary manslaughter counts — resulting in them being paroled — under an agreement that required them to admit to being responsible for Tyree’s death in open court.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Most of those came on reverses or other wide runs.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Setbacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setbacks. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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