SETS BACK Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

sets back

verb

present tense third-person singular of set back

as in holds back

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for sets back

Verb

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
The hydropower from Glen Canyon Dam that holds back Lake Powell serves more than 350,000 homes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 May 2026

Definition of holds back

Verb

Beloved for its durable flatwoven texture, the material holds up against moisture well, without getting waterlogged.

— Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 7 July 2026
And in a market getting more crowded with work that looks good on a screen, the stuff that actually holds up in person has become more valuable than ever.

— Ray Corral, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of holds up

Verb

As such, Propco must reapply for permits before resuming construction, which delays the project’s completion until the middle of 2027, according to the documents.

— Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2026
The deal also delays the elimination of dental help for undocumented adults a year later than Newsom proposed.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 27 June 2026

Definition of delays

Verb

Currently, agents must travel from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to meet inbound international flights, a process county officials say slows down business travel.

— Carson Bonner, AJC.com, 14 July 2026
And the situation could get worse, according to the organization, since tax revenue has been coming in much lower than the long-term trend as the economy slows.

— Scott Cohn, CNBC, 13 July 2026

Definition of slows

Verb

The debate stems over a Federal Communications Commission action on June 29 that advanced the company’s plans, over the objection of California regulators, many residents and Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
The ‘College-Enrollment Death Spiral’ and College Athletics The merger of Ursuline and Gannon stems in part from the enrollment challenges that have become a focal point of higher ed administrators across the country.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of stems

Verb

The Connected Vehicle Rule, finalized in 2025 under the Biden Administration, effectively blocks Polestar from selling cars in the US starting with the 2027 model year.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 July 2026
One blocks the receptor binding protein, which the virus uses to attach to human cells.

— William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of blocks

Verb

Investing in our students and young professionals keeps homegrown talent in our state, creating positive educational and career outcomes, and driving our local economy.

— Sivan Hines, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026
The state law enacted in 2021, generally keeps records from those investigations confidential.

— Ben Wheeler July 9, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026

Definition of keeps

Verb

Alligator Alcatraz houses a few hundred employees in trailers and detains about 650 male immigrants in large tents; until a few weeks ago, the number of those being detained was nearly 1,500.

— Eric Schlosser, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026
What are your rights if ICE detains you?

— Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Definition of detains

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sets at

sets back

sets by

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“Sets back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sets%20back. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of sets back

verb

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