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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to hold back
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of setback
Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
Teel’s setback occurred while running to second base for a double in the sixth inning for Italy against the United States in Houston.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Jonathan M. Pitts, Baltimore Sun, 7 Mar. 2026
The attack set back years of cancer research, immunotherapy development and global scientific collaboration.
—Dave Doneson, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Noun
The commission’s vote doesn’t automatically kill the Costco project, but at the very least is a hard setback after the company appeared to be making inroads against local opposition.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
Teel’s setback occurred while running to second base for a double in the sixth inning for Italy against the United States in Houston.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
The June 2025 strikes on Iran set back their nuclear program for a period of time.
—Jonathan M. Pitts, Baltimore Sun, 7 Mar. 2026
The attack set back years of cancer research, immunotherapy development and global scientific collaboration.
—Dave Doneson, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback
Noun
-
The decision marks yet another reversal in a race that has become one of the more unusual locally in this election cycle.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
-
In a major reversal from last year’s strength, Goldman has dropped 11% in 2026, while Wells has declined more than 20% year to date.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Past Presidents held back on attacking Iran for fear of damaging America’s legitimacy or its interests, broadly construed.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
17 Mar. 2026
-
But no country has been more critical of WADA than the United States, which has floated the idea of holding back dues since 2020 and finally followed through two years ago.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In December, a thief stole the control stick from an R train parked under southern Brooklyn — the same section of track where a young, repeat train thief recklessly threw a train in reverse during a joyride months earlier.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
This year the route ran in reverse, starting at Andrew Square instead of near Broadway MBTA Station to honor the 250th anniversary of Evacuation Day and to help with traffic and safety concerns.—
Paul Burton,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Large multi-strategy platforms, which spread risk across multiple trading styles, have so far held up better than more directional funds.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The prosecution and 2023 convictions against Becciu and others had been held up by the Vatican and late pope as evidence of his willingness to crack down on financial misconduct in the Holy See.—
NICOLE WINFIELD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But Democrats would also be allowed to bring up an indefinite number of amendments on any subject, forcing Republicans to take hard votes in an election year and delaying the process even more.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The airframe is currently scheduled to remain in service until at least 2050, and upgrade programs are constantly being delayed.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Hours-long delays are slowing travel at airports nationwide.—
Kayla Moeller,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The city checks for duplicate names, similar-sounding names, spelling conflicts, and anything that could slow down or confuse an emergency response.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The video shows officers attempting to detain Roberto Sosa at an intersection along Hallandale Beach Boulevard.—
Nikiya Carrero,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
An immigration judge has denied the asylum claim of the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, the 5-year-old boy photographed in a bunny hat and Spider-Man backpack as he was detained with his father during the immigration crackdown that shook Minneapolis earlier this year, a family lawyer said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 Mar. 2026
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
-
Genesis Yes, the thing retarding recruitment below pre-2022 levels may be, at least in part, a military-wide health-records update that, much like MyChart in the civilian health-care world, tracks the medications of all service members.—
Luther Ray Abel,
National Review,
9 Feb. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Setback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setback. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
