as in reversal
a change in status for the worse usually temporarily
The explorers persevered despite suffering setbacks that would have discouraged lesser souls.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to hold back
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of set back
Natasha Frost, New York Times, 30 June 2025
And these strikes ultimately set back those diplomatic conversations.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 29 June 2025
Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 2025
The Netherlands slashed its offshore wind power generation goal by up to 40%, marking the latest setback for the sector.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for set back
Noun
His comments widened the divide with the Trump administration over how severely the U.S. set back Iran’s nuclear program.
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 30 June 2025
And these strikes ultimately set back those diplomatic conversations.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 29 June 2025
Verb
Despite the setbacks, Carthen and Vansteenberghe had at least one thing going for them: America.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 2025
The Netherlands slashed its offshore wind power generation goal by up to 40%, marking the latest setback for the sector.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for set back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for set back
Noun
-
What followed the takeover can only be described as a total reversal of the progress made in the country during the twenty years of the Afghan Republic, and the return of terror.—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
-
Newsom, a Democrat who has increasingly tangled with Trump over issues from immigration to wildfire, said the state would fight the funding reversal.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
Verb
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In the film, Loggins, who spent 50 years touring the road, doesn’t hold back when talking about chasing his artistic dreams, staying in the game, and being a father on the road.—
Addie Morfoot,
Variety,
25 July 2025
-
Juan Thornhill, one of Pittsburgh's safeties, did not hold back when talking about Rodgers.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
Close to half are moving too slowly, and 18% are actually trending in reverse.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
-
Criss then woke up and resisted police before allegedly putting the vehicle in reverse and ramming a police cruiser, Gallupe said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
The family – all dressed in black — held up peace signs to the cheering crowd before laying their own floral tributes, with Sharon being supported by Kelly, 40, and Jack, 39.—
Marina Watts,
People.com,
30 July 2025
-
Even in a difficult environment, his shot-stopping held up to expectations.—
Matt Pyzdrowski,
New York Times,
30 July 2025
Verb
-
To understand why, consider what businesses stand to lose by delaying automation.—
Laurent Charpentier,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
-
No rain should delay either the sprint race or qualifying, but race day is a different story.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
Verb
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Typically, jet fuel is the first to be affected by a slowing economy as businesses rein in travel spending.—
Michael Lynch,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
-
In recent decades, for whatever reason, the core’s spin has been slowing, forcing the rest of Earth to speed up to compensate.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
31 July 2025
Verb
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Luckily, other passengers managed to stop him and pin him down before crew members were able to detain the man.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
25 July 2025
-
Yang, a 37-year-old mother of five, was detained that day and deported two weeks later to Laos – a small country in Southeast Asia that her parents had fled four decades earlier.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
As engine revs increase, centrifugal force alters the valve timing by a few degrees, either advancing or retarding it.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 17,
New Atlas,
17 June 2025
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Blockchain thus provides companies and banks a way to undo Basel II’s and Basel III’s retarding effect on trade finance while complying with their requirements.—
Rebecca Liao,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Aug. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Set back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20back. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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