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
When psychological care is integrated alongside medical and physical treatment, athletes are often better prepared not only to return to sport, but to prevent and manage future setbacks more effectively.
—
Ian McMahan, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
In her experience, sustainable consistency is built through adaptability and learning to recover from setbacks rather than viewing them as failures.
—Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
The transformation has not been without setbacks.
—Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Barring any injury setbacks, Tiger Woods could be on the hallowed grounds of Augusta National Golf Club, trying to make the cut in pursuit of a 16th major championship.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026
The source book, co-authored by Mariwala and business strategist Ram Charan, draws on Mariwala’s own account of the decisions, setbacks and leadership choices behind that growth.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
There’s always an excuse—and very little self-reflection—whereas forward-thinkers will approach setbacks by looking inward.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 19 Mar. 2026
But people unhappy with implementation of the regulations have said updates, such as stricter setbacks, might be in order.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Also last year, Windsor hired consultants Camoin Associates and Colliers Engineering & Design to study how to proceed in the new commercial real estate market, where its sprawling Day Hill Corporate Area has sustained financial setbacks.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2026
Ian McMahan, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
In her experience, sustainable consistency is built through adaptability and learning to recover from setbacks rather than viewing them as failures.
—Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
The transformation has not been without setbacks.
—Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Barring any injury setbacks, Tiger Woods could be on the hallowed grounds of Augusta National Golf Club, trying to make the cut in pursuit of a 16th major championship.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026
The source book, co-authored by Mariwala and business strategist Ram Charan, draws on Mariwala’s own account of the decisions, setbacks and leadership choices behind that growth.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
There’s always an excuse—and very little self-reflection—whereas forward-thinkers will approach setbacks by looking inward.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 19 Mar. 2026
But people unhappy with implementation of the regulations have said updates, such as stricter setbacks, might be in order.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Also last year, Windsor hired consultants Camoin Associates and Colliers Engineering & Design to study how to proceed in the new commercial real estate market, where its sprawling Day Hill Corporate Area has sustained financial setbacks.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setbacks
Noun
-
Beckett’s patter of repetitions and reversals—as the tape is rewound, replayed, and punctured by Krapp’s speech in the present—resembles Lerner’s technique.—
Hannah Gold,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The reversals have created uncertainty in Tokyo, where officials are now trying to interpret, what will Trump say next?—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 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 Mar. 2026.
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