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
While China is poised to be at the forefront of development, this year’s half-marathon event was not without its setbacks.
—
Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026
Barring any setbacks, Yates could make his season debut for the Angels later this month.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 18 Apr. 2026
In the course of the narrative, as John is embraced by friends and assaulted by strangers, Jones’s storytelling veers between breakthroughs and setbacks with a rhythm so mechanical as to verge on metronomic.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
That method has faced setbacks in wake of the Supreme Court’s February ruling against the president’s ability to impose tariffs without Congress.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
Fire incident adds strain to long mission Despite its extensive operations, the deployment has not been without setbacks.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 17 Apr. 2026
Barring setbacks with his injured oblique, Strider figures to need at least two more starts before returning to the big league rotation.
—Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Outside of the daily setbacks of just trying to figure out what the next gig is or where the next money is coming from.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Wells Fargo Union faces nationwide setbacks The union faced setbacks in March when employees at several branches sought to cut ties with the organization.
—Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2026
Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026
Barring any setbacks, Yates could make his season debut for the Angels later this month.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 18 Apr. 2026
In the course of the narrative, as John is embraced by friends and assaulted by strangers, Jones’s storytelling veers between breakthroughs and setbacks with a rhythm so mechanical as to verge on metronomic.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
That method has faced setbacks in wake of the Supreme Court’s February ruling against the president’s ability to impose tariffs without Congress.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
Fire incident adds strain to long mission Despite its extensive operations, the deployment has not been without setbacks.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 17 Apr. 2026
Barring setbacks with his injured oblique, Strider figures to need at least two more starts before returning to the big league rotation.
—Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Outside of the daily setbacks of just trying to figure out what the next gig is or where the next money is coming from.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Wells Fargo Union faces nationwide setbacks The union faced setbacks in March when employees at several branches sought to cut ties with the organization.
—Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setbacks
Noun
-
The reversals have been dramatic, too, and have occurred almost immediately.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
-
To be sure, hope has often swung quickly into doubt since the war began, causing extreme and sudden reversals in financial markets.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 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 22 Apr. 2026.
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