1
: a checking of progress
4
: a placing of a face of a building on a line some distance to the rear of the building line or of the wall below
also
: the area produced by a setback
5
: automatic scheduled adjustment to a lower temperature setting of a thermostat
6
: the distance of a structure or other feature (such as a well or septic system) from the property line or other feature
Synonyms
Examples of setback in a Sentence
Noun
Despite some early setbacks, they eventually became a successful company.
the colonists persevered despite suffering setbacks that would have discouraged lesser souls
Recent Examples on the Web
Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2024
The latest delay was a familiar setback for the hard-luck Starliner, which has suffered a steady stream of frustrating complications since an initial unpiloted test flight in 2019 was derailed by software problems and communications glitches.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 21 May 2024
But the system that has ruled Iran since 1979 will find a way through this setback and churn on.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2024
The charges targeting Israel, although widely anticipated for weeks, could ignite further international outrage over Israel's conduct during its seven-month war in Gaza, delivering a major setback to Netanyahu.
—Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 20 May 2024
On a late spring day in 2019, after months of negotiations and setbacks, Ms. Wilke and Mr. Guidi walked Ms. Borland out of the Jungle.
—Photographs Todd Heisler, New York Times, 19 May 2024
But the decision has been seen as a setback and a reminder of the legal hurdles that need to be overcome for accusers seeking justice through the court system.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 15 May 2024
That was probably one of my major setbacks this season.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 15 May 2024
The session, moderated by Perri Peltz, will examine the evolving landscape for women and nonbinary filmmakers as the conversation centers on the advances and setbacks toward equity in the industry while also spotlighting the role programs like Through Her Lens play in the process.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 May 2024
Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 15 May 2024
Wells were to be cement-lined and houses had to cost at least $1,000 and be set back no less than 15 feet from the street.
—Frederick N. Rasmussen, Baltimore Sun, 19 Mar. 2024
Though the pandemic shuttered or severely set back several long-running arts organizations, there are more than a dozen opera companies now active around the Bay Area.
—Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 3 May 2024
Tight end Luke Schoonmaker, picked in the second round, was set back in minicamp by plantar fasciitis and never got untracked.
—Clarence E. Hill Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2024
Deep rectangular floors were set back every ten stories, creating a three-tiered wedding cake.
—D. T. Max, The New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2024
Working with her stylist and creative director Brett Alan Nelson, the duo started crafting the concept for Doja’s Coachella set back in November.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2024
That defense peaked in Week 14 when the Vikings blanked the Las Vegas Raiders 3-0.
While the overall offensive performance of both teams may have set back football 20 years or more in that game, the Vikings defense abused the Raiders and rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell from start to finish.
—Steve Silverman, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Laguna Beach in 2023 adopted stricter rules for building or doing extensive expansions on bluffs, requiring developments be set back at least 25 feet from the cliff in specified zones.
—Laylan Connelly, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024
Noun
After years of delays, Boeing’s Starliner capsule was set to take off early this month with two astronauts aboard — and now the flight to the International Space Station has been put on hold indefinitely following a series of setbacks.
—Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2024
The latest delay was a familiar setback for the hard-luck Starliner, which has suffered a steady stream of frustrating complications since an initial unpiloted test flight in 2019 was derailed by software problems and communications glitches.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 21 May 2024
But the system that has ruled Iran since 1979 will find a way through this setback and churn on.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2024
The charges targeting Israel, although widely anticipated for weeks, could ignite further international outrage over Israel's conduct during its seven-month war in Gaza, delivering a major setback to Netanyahu.
—Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 20 May 2024
On a late spring day in 2019, after months of negotiations and setbacks, Ms. Wilke and Mr. Guidi walked Ms. Borland out of the Jungle.
—Photographs Todd Heisler, New York Times, 19 May 2024
But the decision has been seen as a setback and a reminder of the legal hurdles that need to be overcome for accusers seeking justice through the court system.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 15 May 2024
That was probably one of my major setbacks this season.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 15 May 2024
The session, moderated by Perri Peltz, will examine the evolving landscape for women and nonbinary filmmakers as the conversation centers on the advances and setbacks toward equity in the industry while also spotlighting the role programs like Through Her Lens play in the process.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 May 2024
Verb
Property records from the Hamilton County auditor list Gary and Peggy Johns as owners of the massive, 16,000-square-foot mansion set back off a narrow road in one of Ohio's wealthiest neighborhoods.
—Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 15 May 2024
Wells were to be cement-lined and houses had to cost at least $1,000 and be set back no less than 15 feet from the street.
—Frederick N. Rasmussen, Baltimore Sun, 19 Mar. 2024
Though the pandemic shuttered or severely set back several long-running arts organizations, there are more than a dozen opera companies now active around the Bay Area.
—Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 3 May 2024
Tight end Luke Schoonmaker, picked in the second round, was set back in minicamp by plantar fasciitis and never got untracked.
—Clarence E. Hill Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2024
Deep rectangular floors were set back every ten stories, creating a three-tiered wedding cake.
—D. T. Max, The New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2024
Working with her stylist and creative director Brett Alan Nelson, the duo started crafting the concept for Doja’s Coachella set back in November.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2024
That defense peaked in Week 14 when the Vikings blanked the Las Vegas Raiders 3-0.
While the overall offensive performance of both teams may have set back football 20 years or more in that game, the Vikings defense abused the Raiders and rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell from start to finish.
—Steve Silverman, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Laguna Beach in 2023 adopted stricter rules for building or doing extensive expansions on bluffs, requiring developments be set back at least 25 feet from the cliff in specified zones.
—Laylan Connelly, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'setback.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near setback
Cite this Entry
“Setback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/setback. Accessed 1 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
setback
noun
set·back
ˈset-ˌbak 
: a slowing of progress : a temporary defeat
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