as in holds back
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sets back
Verb
-
Neutral is considered a spot that neither boosts nor holds back economic activity, and the funds rate is just half a percentage point above where most on the FOMC see the rate landing over the long term.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This teapot holds up to 32 ounces of liquid.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Jan. 2026
-
As wind continues to pound the camp, a wooden pole delicately holds up the tarpaulin keeping him dry.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Defenses applied the same concepts, too, emphasizing full-court pressure, which delays the opposing attack.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The order specifically delays a 30% duty on upholstered furniture and 50% levy on kitchen cabinets and vanities, keeping in place a 25% tariff on those goods that was imposed back in September.—
Sean Conlon,Fred Imbert,
CNBC,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Oats also contain soluble fiber, which slows digestion and helps keep blood sugar levels steady.—
Brianna Tobritzhofer,
Health,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Stop fertilizing during winter, when the plant's growth slows.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Leaving broken branches and stems in place potentially makes branch damage worse, allows bark to tear further, and leaves plants more exposed to diseases and winter winds.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Now is the time to prune back stems to create a uniform, fuller shape and promote branching for more flowers next season.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That decision — made soon after the Minneapolis incident made national headlines — blocks state investigators at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension from accessing key evidence, like Good's car and other case materials, which has drawn scrutiny from state leaders.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The law blocks schools from expanding sports programs for male athletes at the expense of women, but that protection completely unravels when male athletes simply transfer their physical advantages into women’s sports.—
Alanna Smith,
New York Daily News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Utopia Bedding Quilted Comforter This Utopia Bedding comforter keeps my bed looking super fluffy and cloud-like and gives my bedroom an expensive look.—
Genevieve Cepeda,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Leave it to one of the best luggage brands to come out with a revolutionary zipper that is three times stronger than a traditional zipper, as well as an anti-microbial lining that keeps odor-causing bacteria from thriving.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Pinault family owns 42 percent of shares in Kering and detains 59 percent of voting rights.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The play is set in the real-life town of Lumpkin, whose economy has become reliant on a private prison that detains immigrants.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
7 Aug. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Sets back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sets%20back. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share