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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of setback
Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Her only loss was against males, losing by a head setback to Fierceness in the $1.25 million Grade I Travers Stakes on Aug. 24 at Saratoga.
—Bob Wisener, Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2025
Michael Ashley, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Additionally, the council noted that there aren’t viable alternative sites for the solar farm, which, therefore, must be built on the landfill site or else potentially set back the city's climate goals.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for setback
Noun
Frederic, who was acquired March 4 from Boston, was limited to just 7:10 in his Oilers debut Saturday in Los Angeles after suffering a setback.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Her only loss was against males, losing by a head setback to Fierceness in the $1.25 million Grade I Travers Stakes on Aug. 24 at Saratoga.
—Bob Wisener, Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
The international incident set back diplomatic efforts between the hostile nations, nearly sparking a kinetic crisis.
—Michael Ashley, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Additionally, the council noted that there aren’t viable alternative sites for the solar farm, which, therefore, must be built on the landfill site or else potentially set back the city's climate goals.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for setback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback
Noun
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The reversal played out at the closed board meeting, the person and Dreyer, who listened to the meeting over Zoom, said to The Bee.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
His defensive stance provided a massive cushion for Berkshire as President Donald Trump’s stunning tariff rollout and reversal triggered roller-coaster price swings in the market.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Shaddai didn’t hold back from trash-talking his opponent.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
18 Apr. 2025
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Former New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers did not hold back on his final meeting with new head coach Aaron Glenn in his first public remarks since a series of rumors leaked following the end of his second season with the team.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But can this also work in reverse — taking TV storylines and shifting them to a theatrical release?—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Apr. 2025
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Move the dailies out to the street and after the drive do it all in reverse.—
Marah Eakin,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
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As for washing, the white will hold up to about 20 cycles before starting to look a little dingy, but the black holds up fine, and both will hold their shape.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
25 Apr. 2025
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Premium and corporate demand held up — but broader growth, Delta warned, has stalled under the weight of tariffs and economic volatility.—
Catherine Baab,
Quartz,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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There's also great uncertainty as Trump seeks negotiations with China and begins talks with other counties whose larger tariffs were delayed by 90 days.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
21 Apr. 2025
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Every year, thousands of life-saving clinical trials are delayed or derailed—not because of a lack of innovation, but because of outdated, fragmented data systems.—
Amy Guttman,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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,
26 Apr. 2025
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But Arthur's lack of limbs hasn't slowed him down, and he was adopted soon after by his loving family.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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However, in recent weeks, there have been multiple reports of people without criminal convictions, and some with valid documentation, being detained for deportation.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Apr. 2025
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People need to understand he will be detained and he will be deported. KARL (voice-over): Our Sunday exclusive with Trump's Border Czar Tom Homan.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 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
Cite this Entry
“Setback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setback. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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