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
For the next three years, early intervention programs — including reading, music and speech therapy — helped monitor Ness' children, looking for possible cognitive or learning setbacks.
—
Jeff Truesdell, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Using real-world victories and setbacks, Williams outlines a replicable approach to leadership that empowers readers to achieve meaningful, lasting impact for their companies or communities.
—Forbes Books Press Release Official, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Despite the setbacks, a few brave souls are still willing to bet on a movie business revival.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
The attacker was sidelined for eight months and endured setbacks during his rehabilitation.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
However, the reality is COVID outbreaks are still prevalent, and those more likely to experience sizable setbacks from the virus still prefer to receive additional protection.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
After months of setbacks for Elon Musk’s private space company, the latest launch was a rousing success.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
Competing in a high-speed, high-pressure environment taught me to make the quick decisions necessary to grow a company while remaining strong in the face of setbacks.
—Tom Dunlop, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Despite these setbacks, MBM Motorsports is confident, banking on Wallace's past success at superspeedways to see them through.
—Lydia Mee, Newsweek, 5 Jan. 2025
Jeff Truesdell, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Using real-world victories and setbacks, Williams outlines a replicable approach to leadership that empowers readers to achieve meaningful, lasting impact for their companies or communities.
—Forbes Books Press Release Official, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Despite the setbacks, a few brave souls are still willing to bet on a movie business revival.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
The attacker was sidelined for eight months and endured setbacks during his rehabilitation.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
However, the reality is COVID outbreaks are still prevalent, and those more likely to experience sizable setbacks from the virus still prefer to receive additional protection.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
After months of setbacks for Elon Musk’s private space company, the latest launch was a rousing success.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
Competing in a high-speed, high-pressure environment taught me to make the quick decisions necessary to grow a company while remaining strong in the face of setbacks.
—Tom Dunlop, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Despite these setbacks, MBM Motorsports is confident, banking on Wallace's past success at superspeedways to see them through.
—Lydia Mee, Newsweek, 5 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setbacks
reversals
Noun
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Still, big gains can be followed by sharp reversals—so how has FFIV behaved after prior drops?—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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The data marked one of the first reversals after more than a decade of increasing despair.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Setbacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setbacks. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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