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

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

That habit separates software that only demos well from software that holds up in real workflows.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Playing surface holds up After concerns about the playing surface this week, the grass field at the Maracana appeared to hold up pretty well.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of holds up

Verb

Even if Illinois delays its natural gas plant closings, the state will need more batteries, and Richardson is rushing to provide them.

— John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
In this scenario, the heart attack now drives the pricing, while the prostate cancer delays the application.

— Howard Wolinsky, STAT, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of delays

Verb

The novel’s conceit stems in part from my attempt to grapple with my family’s and my own trauma and what constitutes truth.

— Via Scribner, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2026
After cutting open both stems and swapping the batteries between earbuds, iFixit noticed the buds could no longer be charged.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of stems

Verb

Highly possible, yet the USA keeps assuring Ukranian leaders that the support of the United States is with them.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
One of cosmology’s greatest mysteries is the nature of dark energy—the invisible force that keeps the universe expanding at an ever-increasing rate.

— Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 15 Oct. 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

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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 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of sets back

verb

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