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
Markets have soared and oil prices have dropped over the last week, however, amid anticipation that a deal could be close after weeks of talks and occasional setbacks.
—
Peter Nicholas, NBC news, 10 May 2026
Following the local election setbacks, the Prime Minister has faced calls to resign or to set a timetable to vacate his leadership position, including from members of his own Labour Party.
—Chandelis Duster, NPR, 10 May 2026
There are days when there are going to be some setbacks.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
On Saturday, the schools learned how much the setbacks affected their playoff seeding.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 9 May 2026
Bigger and more lethal than the MSS, the new anti-gang force has faced setbacks because of the war in Iran, bureaucratic red tape and other logistical challenges.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 9 May 2026
Results from local elections in England showed significant gains for Farage’s right-wing populist Reform UK party, alongside major setbacks for Labour.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 8 May 2026
Farming has always been a challenging endeavor, one that operates at the whim of external forces but with little margin for setbacks.
—The Virginian Pilot and Daily Press Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
The ambition never gained traction due to logistical setbacks, the people said.
—Thomas Buckley, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Peter Nicholas, NBC news, 10 May 2026
Following the local election setbacks, the Prime Minister has faced calls to resign or to set a timetable to vacate his leadership position, including from members of his own Labour Party.
—Chandelis Duster, NPR, 10 May 2026
There are days when there are going to be some setbacks.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
On Saturday, the schools learned how much the setbacks affected their playoff seeding.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 9 May 2026
Bigger and more lethal than the MSS, the new anti-gang force has faced setbacks because of the war in Iran, bureaucratic red tape and other logistical challenges.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 9 May 2026
Results from local elections in England showed significant gains for Farage’s right-wing populist Reform UK party, alongside major setbacks for Labour.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 8 May 2026
Farming has always been a challenging endeavor, one that operates at the whim of external forces but with little margin for setbacks.
—The Virginian Pilot and Daily Press Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
The ambition never gained traction due to logistical setbacks, the people said.
—Thomas Buckley, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setbacks
Noun
-
At the core of today’s tensions are ideological reversals.—
Sarah DaVanzo,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2026
-
Rejections and reversals of prior directives at the FDA division responsible for reviewing cell and gene therapies have destabilized the already shaky footing of this field.—
Ed Silverman,
STAT,
6 May 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 13 May. 2026.
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