as in reversal
a change in status for the worse usually temporarily
the colonists persevered despite suffering setbacks that would have discouraged lesser souls
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to hold back
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of setback
Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
That means normalizing experimentation and recognizing that failure isn’t a setback, but a critical part of progress.
—Sanjay Menon, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Becky Sullivan, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
That number would eclipse the previous record set back in 2005 of 44 million people.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN Money, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for setback
Noun
Unfortunately, Brown's battles with health setbacks continued in Washington.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
That means normalizing experimentation and recognizing that failure isn’t a setback, but a critical part of progress.
—Sanjay Menon, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Verb
Two goals would tie the old record of 894, set back in 1999 by the great Wayne Gretzky.
—Becky Sullivan, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
That number would eclipse the previous record set back in 2005 of 44 million people.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN Money, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for setback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback
Noun
-
Later in the month, however, some were restored after a court order led to a reversal of the termination.—
Jean Marbella,
Baltimore Sun,
11 June 2025
-
President Trump had promised a sweeping crackdown on undocumented immigrants and a reversal of many Biden-era protections, including the extension of T.P.S., which Republicans had opposed.—
Allison McCann,
New York Times,
11 June 2025
Verb
-
Expressive suppression, or holding back emotional expression.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
Hair biases in the workplace can contribute to unfairly harsh scrutiny of Black women’s performance; we may be held back from professional development or lose job opportunities entirely.—
Sophie Meharenna,
Allure,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Flanagan, also to his credit, goes all in on the legendary author’s unconventional storytelling, a lifetime that unfurls in three acts and in reverse.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
-
There are things private schools can do that public ones can’t, and the same is very much true in reverse.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
She’s used hers exclusively for the past two years plus during her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, and it’s held up with minor wear.—
Izzy Baskette,
People.com,
12 June 2025
-
President Donald Trump holding up the $5 million gold card while speaking with reporters on board Air Force One, en route to Miami, on April 3.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Verb
-
Since his sentencing 37 years ago, Menzies' attorneys have filed multiple appeals that delayed his death sentence, which had been scheduled at least twice before it was postponed.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2025
-
Last year, the NFL reported a 20,000% increase in unauthorized drone activity over games between 2017 and 2023, some of which delayed games.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
7 June 2025
Verb
-
In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here's what to know: Ease off the accelerator - Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 June 2025
-
Yet in the rush to deliver proof-of-concept wins, most organizations still treat responsible AI as a compliance requirement or reputational safeguard—something seen as slowing innovation and creating friction rather than a prerequisite for performance, scale or trust.—
Amir Banifatemi,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
Fewer than 80 of the 500 people detained by ICE had criminal records.—
Sergio Martínez-Beltrán,
NPR,
7 June 2025
-
For several hours Friday, advocates gathered outside Ambiance Apparel’s warehouse shouting legal advice to those being detained inside.—
Rachel Uranga,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2025
Verb
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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
-
Turning the lithium oxide—the product of discharging the battery—back to lithium is difficult and only partially possible even when assisted by special catalysts: The oxide builds up and retards the process, limiting the number of charge-discharge cycles to a mere handful.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
31 Jan. 2011
Cite this Entry
“Setback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setback. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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