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
After years of delays and testing setbacks, Dark Eagle has recently gained momentum through successful flight tests and production contracts.
—
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 31 May 2026
The recent history of such fiery setbacks is not a positive one for Blue Origin.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2026
Yet there have been setbacks, too.
—Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
So far there are no fresh signs after two nesting attempts, in 2008 and 2013, in northern lagoon fishing valleys suffered serious setbacks, including violent hail that killed dozens of birds.
—ABC News, 30 May 2026
Encourage a Growth Mindset How children interpret setbacks matters as much as the setbacks themselves.
—Parents, 30 May 2026
Russia faces further battlefield setbacks Russia’s armed forces are suffering dual pressures from significant battlefield casualties and struggles to recruit replacements, underscoring Moscow’s growing challenges in its war on Ukraine.
—semafor.com, 29 May 2026
Braun, 25, backslid in an alarming way, never regaining his footing after getting hurt and suffering setbacks.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
Through this lens, setbacks become points of reflection, offering insight that strengthens future judgment.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 31 May 2026
The recent history of such fiery setbacks is not a positive one for Blue Origin.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2026
Yet there have been setbacks, too.
—Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
So far there are no fresh signs after two nesting attempts, in 2008 and 2013, in northern lagoon fishing valleys suffered serious setbacks, including violent hail that killed dozens of birds.
—ABC News, 30 May 2026
Encourage a Growth Mindset How children interpret setbacks matters as much as the setbacks themselves.
—Parents, 30 May 2026
Russia faces further battlefield setbacks Russia’s armed forces are suffering dual pressures from significant battlefield casualties and struggles to recruit replacements, underscoring Moscow’s growing challenges in its war on Ukraine.
—semafor.com, 29 May 2026
Braun, 25, backslid in an alarming way, never regaining his footing after getting hurt and suffering setbacks.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
Through this lens, setbacks become points of reflection, offering insight that strengthens future judgment.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setbacks
Noun
-
What slows investment is uncertainty, policy incoherence, reversals and fragmented market signals.—
María Mendiluce,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
Two reversals and a vindication For the OpenAI CEO, his comments walk back his prophecy on AI’s impact on labor.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
The year ahead now promises multiple serious reverses.—
David Miliband,
Time,
9 Apr. 2026
-
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 3 Jun. 2026.
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