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
This year has taught me that setbacks don’t define us — our comebacks do.
—
Natasha Dye, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
From a business standpoint, this can translate to fewer legal and reputational setbacks.
—Vidya Plainfield, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
By contrast, the US has faced setbacks.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025
SpaceX has its fair share of setbacks, including just this week when a Mars test rocket was delayed.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 1 Sep. 2025
The setbacks were cruel for a player who made her senior debut for Arsenal aged 16 and was tipped to be one of England’s next best defenders.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2025
Barring any setbacks in practice, Achane will reportedly play against the Colts.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Investors cheered Apple’s July earnings results on strong iPhone sales despite its AI setbacks.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
Hamas’s ability to renew its manpower has long been a defining feature of the group, which has for years managed to maintain a very strong foothold in Palestinian society even after severe setbacks.
—Leila Seurat, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2025
Natasha Dye, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
From a business standpoint, this can translate to fewer legal and reputational setbacks.
—Vidya Plainfield, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
By contrast, the US has faced setbacks.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025
SpaceX has its fair share of setbacks, including just this week when a Mars test rocket was delayed.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 1 Sep. 2025
The setbacks were cruel for a player who made her senior debut for Arsenal aged 16 and was tipped to be one of England’s next best defenders.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2025
Barring any setbacks in practice, Achane will reportedly play against the Colts.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Investors cheered Apple’s July earnings results on strong iPhone sales despite its AI setbacks.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
Hamas’s ability to renew its manpower has long been a defining feature of the group, which has for years managed to maintain a very strong foothold in Palestinian society even after severe setbacks.
—Leila Seurat, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setbacks
reversals
Noun
-
Prepare for risk, reversals and regulatory shifts.—
Glenn Gonsalves,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Sudden reversals, judges warn, risk turning litigation into gamesmanship.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Setbacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setbacks. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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