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sets back

verb

present tense third-person singular of set back
as in holds back

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sets back
  1. holds back
  2. holds up
  3. delays
  4. slows
  5. stems
  6. blocks
  7. keeps
  8. detains
Verb
  • Eventually, though, and soon, Colorado will need to institute a new water conservation program that holds back some water for release downstream through this stretch and on toward Lake Powell when it’s most needed in summer, Holm said.
    — Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Samsung traditionally holds back one color in the Galaxy S range to be a web exclusive and drive consumers to its website, although typically this is one of the standard black or grey colors.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Definition of holds back
Verb
  • It’s guaranteed to leave a smooth, humidity-resistant finish that holds up on muggy days and adds a ton of shine to dull and overworked strands.
    — Valeriya Chupinina, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2026
  • However, that lofty goal holds up only until personal beliefs collide with reality.
    — Oline Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of holds up
Verb
  • Fat actually delays gastric emptying and digestion even more, keeping blood sugar much steadier.
    — Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Tennis has always been highly dependent on the weather; unlike in soccer or football, rain cancels or delays a match until the court is dry enough to be playable.
    — Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of delays
Verb
  • The cream relies on petrolatum to form a protective seal that slows moisture loss, with sorbitol as a humectant to keep skin hydrated.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The serum-replacing cream repairs the skin barrier and slows cellular aging while deeply hydrating and plumping the complexion.
    — Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of slows
Verb
  • But to Schottenheimer, Jones’ defensive mind stems a lot further.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Show-stopping blooms grow on strong, woody stems that die back in winter.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of stems
Verb
  • Her cause of death was determined to be a pulmonary embolism caused by deep vein thrombosis (DVT), in which a blood clot travels to the lungs and blocks an artery, the BBC reported.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Comfort, breathability, and packability are just a few of the boxes checked by this bamboo-viscose hoodie that blocks 95 percent of the sun’s UV rays (and comes in women’s sizes).
    — Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of blocks
Verb
  • This recipe, which keeps things simple, relies on the winning combination of cinnamon and apples to perfume a vanilla cake with pockets of tender fruit.
    — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Sep. 2026
  • At the very least, no one wants to feel invisible, especially when our devolving society keeps finding new ways to instill that impression.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of keeps
Verb
  • The Midwest Regional Reception Center detains close to 500 fathers, mothers, spouses, cousins and friends on behalf of ICE.
    — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The policy guidance applies to agents under Enforcement and Removal Operations, the branch of ICE that detains and ultimately deports undocumented immigrants.
    — Philip Wang, Time, 14 July 2026
Definition of detains
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.

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sets at
sets back
sets by
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Cite this Entry

“Sets back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sets%20back. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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