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
Four senior players were ruled out with significant physical setbacks last week.
—
Pol Ballús, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
For the United States, such setbacks can buy time—until different leadership in Washington once again has a vision of the future built around more than looking out for itself.
—Jeffrey Prescott, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2025
Although there have been no setbacks, Lynch said on his weekly appearance on KNBR-680 the process will be a deliberate one.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025
Of course, everyone isn't innately open to failing or recovering from setbacks.
—Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2025
Another con is financial setbacks.
—Vicki Salemi, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
But if those talks yielded any progress, or any setbacks, neither side is talking about it.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 23 Sep. 2025
Shearer has spent nearly two years in and out of operating rooms, but her recovery has still faced multiple setbacks.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2025
The article expressed a desire for Kirk to face trivial setbacks, emphasizing satirical intent while including later disclaimers about not wishing physical harm.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
Pol Ballús, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
For the United States, such setbacks can buy time—until different leadership in Washington once again has a vision of the future built around more than looking out for itself.
—Jeffrey Prescott, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2025
Although there have been no setbacks, Lynch said on his weekly appearance on KNBR-680 the process will be a deliberate one.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025
Of course, everyone isn't innately open to failing or recovering from setbacks.
—Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2025
Another con is financial setbacks.
—Vicki Salemi, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
But if those talks yielded any progress, or any setbacks, neither side is talking about it.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 23 Sep. 2025
Shearer has spent nearly two years in and out of operating rooms, but her recovery has still faced multiple setbacks.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2025
The article expressed a desire for Kirk to face trivial setbacks, emphasizing satirical intent while including later disclaimers about not wishing physical harm.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setbacks
Noun
-
James Cameron’s sublime Alien sequel is all about reversals.—
Chris Klimek,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Democrats have seized on the reversals as evidence that the cuts were hasty and wasteful.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
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 4 Oct. 2025.
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