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 back-to-back campaigns filled with setbacks, Scott re-signed with the Panthers on a 1-year deal this offseason.
—
Mike Kaye
january 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2026
Backups Jaylon Moore and Wanya Morris suffered setbacks in subsequent weeks, pushing the Chiefs down to their last options at tackle on the depth chart.
—Jesse Newell, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
While the three recent transactions point to pockets of strength in the South Bay apartment sector, some residential hubs are struggling beneath the weight of financial setbacks.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
But just as everything falls into place, a work idea backfires, and the fallout cascades into heartbreak and career setbacks.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 5 Jan. 2026
After months of setbacks and paperwork, the Schiro family now finally has a rendering for a new home on the Malibu property.
—Luzdelia Caballero, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
Kansas Jayhawks freshman men’s basketball player Darryn Peterson, who has practiced at full speed since Saturday, will likely play against UCF in Orlando this weekend, barring any setbacks.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 1 Jan. 2026
The location weathered the pandemic, then multiple other setbacks, including what Yoon called a steep downturn in foot traffic in the neighborhood in 2025.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
The novel borrows from Englund’s experience, the setbacks and the thrills, and also draws from conversations with Dana Fares, another local professional actress who spent time in Hollywood.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
Mike Kaye
january 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2026
Backups Jaylon Moore and Wanya Morris suffered setbacks in subsequent weeks, pushing the Chiefs down to their last options at tackle on the depth chart.
—Jesse Newell, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
While the three recent transactions point to pockets of strength in the South Bay apartment sector, some residential hubs are struggling beneath the weight of financial setbacks.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
But just as everything falls into place, a work idea backfires, and the fallout cascades into heartbreak and career setbacks.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 5 Jan. 2026
After months of setbacks and paperwork, the Schiro family now finally has a rendering for a new home on the Malibu property.
—Luzdelia Caballero, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
Kansas Jayhawks freshman men’s basketball player Darryn Peterson, who has practiced at full speed since Saturday, will likely play against UCF in Orlando this weekend, barring any setbacks.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 1 Jan. 2026
The location weathered the pandemic, then multiple other setbacks, including what Yoon called a steep downturn in foot traffic in the neighborhood in 2025.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
The novel borrows from Englund’s experience, the setbacks and the thrills, and also draws from conversations with Dana Fares, another local professional actress who spent time in Hollywood.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setbacks
Noun
-
In truth, the patriots’ path to victory was a near decade-long slog characterized by a string of strange bedfellows, strained alliances, and dramatic reversals.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
However, Solomon noted that such reversals were a normal feature of long-term bull markets, noting that the investment bank’s standing advice to clients remains to stay invested and review portfolio allocation, not attempt to time markets.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 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 9 Jan. 2026.
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