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
Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 27 Jan. 2025
The setback prompted the immediate suspension of the program.
—Nectar Gan, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025
Peter Schroeder, Foreign Affairs, 17 Jan. 2025
Amy Bach, with the consumer group United Policyholders, worries these catastrophic fires will set back efforts to bring insurance companies back to the market in places like Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
—Greg Allen, NPR, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for setback 
Noun
The planned sale of north Charlotte mall was dealt setbacks following high-profile incidents leading to safety concerns and several store closings like Apple and Buckle.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 27 Jan. 2025
The setback prompted the immediate suspension of the program.
—Nectar Gan, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
In October 1977, for example, then CIA Director Stansfield Turner abruptly fired some 800 operations officers, tanking morale at the agency and setting back human intelligence operations for years to come.
—Peter Schroeder, Foreign Affairs, 17 Jan. 2025
Amy Bach, with the consumer group United Policyholders, worries these catastrophic fires will set back efforts to bring insurance companies back to the market in places like Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
—Greg Allen, NPR, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for setback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback
Noun
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Throughout the government, new appointees have been touting their reversals of diversity standards—the signal feature of what has been a rapid two-week effort to remake the preëxisting bureaucracy with an America First agenda.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
The New Yorker,
2 Feb. 2025
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Other changes at Starbucks Over the course of Niccol's four-month tenure, the company has enacted multiple changes, including the reversal of its open-door policy, unveiled new and returning coffeehouse amenities in addition the menu overhaul.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA TODAY,
31 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In a new video for Allure, Palmer didn't hold back.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
7 Feb. 2025
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Explore Bush Gavin Rossdale See latest videos, charts and news Speaking on Canada’s Q with Tom Power, the rocker didn’t hold back on his concerns about the modern music business.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
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White has also proven how that works in reverse—that the Trump-era anti-establishment norms that reward pugnaciousness and tribalism, revel in taboos and ignore personal scandals, represent an ascendant business model.—
Matt Craig,
Forbes,
6 Feb. 2025
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After developing in fresh water, these young fish will travel their ancestors’ journey in reverse, back out to sea.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Josh and Monica held up a white No. 13 jersey, with head coach Ben Johnson’s arm around Josh’s shoulder.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
31 Jan. 2025
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The top surface of the cabinet has a 50 pound capacity, while the interior shelf can hold up to 30 pounds itself.—
Megan Schaltegger,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Louisiana physicians are also delaying treatment of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy out of fear of breaking the law.—
Kerry Meagher,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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President Donald Trump delayed ending the trade loophole that allows low-value packages to arrive duty-free from China on Friday, meaning the products can continue to enter the U.S. without tariffs—for now.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA TODAY,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Huskies turned the ball over a season-high 25 times, but even Marquette’s 29 points off those throwaways couldn’t slow UConn.—
Lindsay Schnell,
The Athletic,
2 Feb. 2025
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But Berntsen and a team of researchers looked into how multifocal contact lenses could slow the progression of this disease.—
Adrianna Rodriguez,
USA TODAY,
1 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Finland is still investigating the incident, but police have detained a ship carrying Russian oil products, suspected of dragging its anchor across the cable.—
Clare Sebastian,
CNN,
7 Feb. 2025
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Six immigrants detained under that arrangement at a medium-security federal prison in Victorville, Calif., sued Trump, then-Atty.—
Michael R. Sisak,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 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
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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
Thesaurus Entries Near setback
Cite this Entry
“Setback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setback. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
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