as in reversals
a change in status for the worse usually temporarily
the colonists persevered despite suffering setbacks that would have discouraged lesser souls
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of setbacks
Everyone in life faces obstacles and setbacks while trying to achieve hopes and dreams without realizing what God is doing, Tebow said.
—
Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Bubic didn’t experience any setbacks.
—Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2026
Singer Evan Dando, founder of the alternative-rock band the Lemonheads, was hospitailzed Thursday after sending a fan unwanted pornography, the latest in a long series of setbacks for the musician, who has struggled with mental illness and substance abuse for decades.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Sanofi is replacing Paul Hudson as chief executive officer, spurning his attempts to bolster the company’s pipeline amid recent clinical setbacks, and replacing him with Belén Garijo, who is the chief executive officer at Merck KGgA, STAT notes.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 12 Feb. 2026
But much of the anxiety and the lasting setbacks weren’t immediately obvious until the ice began to melt.
—Margaret Littman, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
As a result, their students experienced minimal learning loss and fewer social-emotional setbacks; public school students saw devastating declines in achievement and well-being.
—Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
And captured the essence of a player who traveled a road filled with disappointments and setbacks but always believed in himself.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Preparing in advance is the best way to avoid setbacks.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2026
Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Bubic didn’t experience any setbacks.
—Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2026
Singer Evan Dando, founder of the alternative-rock band the Lemonheads, was hospitailzed Thursday after sending a fan unwanted pornography, the latest in a long series of setbacks for the musician, who has struggled with mental illness and substance abuse for decades.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Sanofi is replacing Paul Hudson as chief executive officer, spurning his attempts to bolster the company’s pipeline amid recent clinical setbacks, and replacing him with Belén Garijo, who is the chief executive officer at Merck KGgA, STAT notes.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 12 Feb. 2026
But much of the anxiety and the lasting setbacks weren’t immediately obvious until the ice began to melt.
—Margaret Littman, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
As a result, their students experienced minimal learning loss and fewer social-emotional setbacks; public school students saw devastating declines in achievement and well-being.
—Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
And captured the essence of a player who traveled a road filled with disappointments and setbacks but always believed in himself.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Preparing in advance is the best way to avoid setbacks.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setbacks
Noun
-
There were significant tactical market peaks in January or February in 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2025, all of them involving momentum reversals and forced rotations as an aggravating factor.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Health experts say Kennedy has made sweeping reversals on these statements.—
Dan Vergano,
Scientific American,
13 Feb. 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 18 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
