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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of setback
Preston Fore, Fortune, 12 June 2026
But the tragedies and setbacks that would haunt the band for decades more (Oakley died in a motorcycle accident of his own in 1972) also came to include Jaimoe.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2026
Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
The trio bested the previous record of 30 stairs set back in 2014, according to Guinness World Records.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Noun
Among the setbacks was reportedly an unsuccessful 2007 audition for the lead role in Disney’s Sonny With a Chance—a part that ultimately went to Demi Lovato.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 12 June 2026
But the tragedies and setbacks that would haunt the band for decades more (Oakley died in a motorcycle accident of his own in 1972) also came to include Jaimoe.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2026
Verb
Global economic development was set back by decades.
—Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
The trio bested the previous record of 30 stairs set back in 2014, according to Guinness World Records.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback
Noun
-
Some of it is a reversal of the pandemic effect.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
15 June 2026
-
A helping hand from the community Madi Rytina said the situation is a role reversal for her sister.—
Dennis Valera,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
But good for him for not holding back.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
17 June 2026
-
But Aravind Srinivas, the CEO of AI giant Perplexity, says that operating under the fear of failure only holds back success.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Plus, its 8000mAh battery not only lasts all day but also supports reverse charging.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
15 June 2026
-
For the tragicomic is camp in reverse.—
Eugenie Brinkema,
ARTnews.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Olwan, who scored a phenomenal hat-trick in a 3-0 win against Oman to seal Jordan’s qualification for the World Cup, held up a No 11 shirt as a tribute to team-mate Yazan Al-Naimat.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
The perk here is that the material holds up to cold weather by stretching and expanding without breaking, requiring fewer repairs and resource use.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Onlookers were festive and chatty amid thunderstorms that threatened to delay the work.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
-
The Friday night news conference at the Lincoln Memorial was delayed for about an hour because of lightning.—
Dan Gelston,
Fortune,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Pairing coffee with food slows absorption and lets your body draw energy from the meal itself.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
-
Ease off the accelerator - Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
She was detained by ICE in April and released last month, though her deportation case is still active.—
Camilo Montoya-Galvez,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
-
Federal officials noted Kim was the first person detained and returned to the United States from Laos.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 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 18 Jun. 2026.
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