SET BACK Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

setback 1 of 2

noun

ˈset-ˌbak

Definition of setback

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

status quo

set back

2 of 2

verb

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

Noun

Rather than seeing that as a setback, Thomas encouraged her to think like an owner. — Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026 Gomez has endured a lengthy list of cruel setbacks during his 11-year Liverpool career and faces a wait to learn the extent of his latest injury. — James Pearce, New York Times, 26 July 2026

Verb

Tuchel does not believe that his standing has been set back to zero. — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 19 July 2026 The previous record of 3,587,538 fans was set back in 1994, per CBS News. — Emma Banks, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for setback

Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback

Noun

This reversal may represent an overdue correction after years of assuming that more technology automatically equated to better learning.

— Janice Mak, The Conversation, 30 July 2026
In both terms, the election triggered the same initial bet on American reflation, which produced the same initial rally — and in both terms, that bet met the same friction of reality, which produced the reversal.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 July 2026

Definition of reversal

Verb

United hold back 200 tickets from each away allocation (typically 3,000) for their players, and not all of these are taken.

— Andy Mitten, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Lenders financing these projects tend to hold back the money until the asset is covered for its full build cost, so the insurance question comes with a hard financial edge attached.

— Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of hold back

Noun

Every region carried its own signal while simultaneously blocking unwanted reverse-moving waves from its neighboring region.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026
Although many assume protectiveness naturally flows from parent to child, that same instinct can just as easily work in reverse, with kids feeling a strong desire to look after their parents.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 29 July 2026

Definition of reverse

Verb

Evander scored a go-ahead goal from distance in the 82nd minute and Cincinnati beat the San Jose Earthquakes 4-2 on Saturday night in a game delayed over two hours due to weather.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
The airport says arrivals to Denver are also delayed an average of 15 minutes and increasing due to the weather.

— Christa Swanson, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of delay

Verb

This slows down decision-making, reduces autonomy, and distances employees from meaningful work.

— Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
If your body has been asking you in a few ways to slow down (like feeling a cough coming on, or a tiredness that won’t shake off), stop fighting against what your body or heart is trying to tell you.

— Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of slow

Verb

This spring, the FBI detained a former aide to Fauci, and federal officials banned a virus researcher in North Carolina from receiving federal funding.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Police detained Schmidt twice during the altercation, originally placing him into the police vehicle after the officer shot his black Labrador, according to eyewitness Paul Bates.

— Gabe White, Arkansas Online, 21 July 2026

Definition of detain

Browse Nearby Words

set at

setback

set back

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Setback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setback. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of setback

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

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