setting back

verb

present participle of set back
as in holding back

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for setting back
  1. holding back
  2. holding up
  3. delaying
  4. slowing
  5. holding over
  6. detaining
Verb
  • Soaring prices stemming from the conflict have forced African countries to keep interest rates elevated, holding back growth and adding to already high borrowing costs.
    — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Marsh was a fearless critic, rarely holding back even with his most caustic and controversial views.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of holding back
Verb
  • Although the data don’t show how household income compares to the cost of living, SmartAsset spokesperson Toby Nelson said the numbers can show how people’s income is holding up against rising costs.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • This convenience relies on the engineering holding up, though.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of holding up
Verb
  • In that unlikely scenario, the project with LINXS could be terminated and Los Angeles World Airports, which manages LAX, would have to find a new contractor, further delaying the train’s future.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Tampa politicians will likely celebrate by delaying a vote on the Rays’ proposed new stadium by another few months.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of delaying
Verb
  • Now in his early nineties, Gregory (My Dinner with André, NYFF19) shows no sign of slowing down, as evidenced by this delightful, enormously moving document of his inextinguishable creative spark.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Rodriguez, who is is 50, said seeing someone more than 30 years his senior exhibiting so much energy on stage was an inspiring sign that getting older doesn’t necessarily mean slowing down.
    — Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of slowing
Verb
  • Landa worked with the Association to get the original project approved in 2017 after holding over 30 public meetings.
    — Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026
  • And moviegoers turned out to indies from Rosemead to The Chronology of Water, All That’s Left Of You and more, new and holding over, limited, wide and top ten.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Jan. 2026
Definition of holding over
Verb
  • In Salisbury, which has become a hub for Haitians who work in nearby factories and farms, ICE recently started detaining people in parking lots and other areas immigrants frequent, according to Fouché of Safe Harbor Circles.
    — Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • This was accomplished in part by lowering operating costs — meaning the business of detaining people is becoming cheaper — and because of more people being put in detention.
    — Vanessa Romo, NPR, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of detaining
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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setting at
setting back
setting by
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Cite this Entry

“Setting back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setting%20back. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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