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
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Recent Examples of setback
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2026
Even with that setback, the Quakes remain confident.
—Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026
Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Mar. 2026
The Great Kanto Earthquake and the ensuing conflagration killed 140,000 people, traumatized the country, and set back Japanese industrial production for years.
—Joshua Hammer, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Noun
This Sisyphean season of injuries for the Nuggets has at least one more setback in store.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2026
Even with that setback, the Quakes remain confident.
—Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
San Antonio will likely record a high temperature of 92 to 93 degrees, just a few degrees shy of the daily record of 96 degrees, set back in 1971.
—Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Mar. 2026
The Great Kanto Earthquake and the ensuing conflagration killed 140,000 people, traumatized the country, and set back Japanese industrial production for years.
—Joshua Hammer, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback
Noun
-
The reversal comes after Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta and the UCLA Voting Rights Project launched legal challenges last week, arguing the sheriff has no authority over election materials.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The reversals could have massive implications for the November midterm elections, particularly in competitive congressional districts where small swings could determine control of the House.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Padma Lakshmi didn't hold back when talking about the way Vice President JD Vance adapted (or didn't) to his wife Usha Vance's culture.—
Mariyam Muhammad,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The older consensus assumes Washington would still try to stabilize the situation—escort shipping, surge regional forces, send warnings, hold back from hitting the mainland.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But remember — the formula works in reverse, too.—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
1 Apr. 2026
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Plus, its 8000mAh battery not only lasts all day but also supports reverse charging.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Rendered in textured brass, the piece can hold up to four candles and evokes the Italian studio’s monolithic, architectural design practice.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2026
-
But each of its components holds up under scrutiny, according to reporting from Healthline and Time.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The contest was delayed for about 10 minutes in the fourth after plate umpire Ron Kulpa exited due to taking a foul ball off his mask.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Along with Buttó, right-hander Hayden Birdsong underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery, while right-handers Joel Peguero (Grade 2 hamstring strain) and left-hander Reiver Sanmartin (right hip flexor) sustained injuries that delayed the starts to their seasons.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Life slows down here in the most magical of ways.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Being embedded meant slowing down, listening, and understanding the genealogy of the triennial itself—seeing HT25 not as a rupture, but as part of an ongoing continuum.—
Wassan Al-Khudhairi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That night, plainclothes ICE officers detained them at the California airport, seen in viral videos circulated on social media.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
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The man was detained, and officers learned he had been shot in the groin by a group of three people, authorities said.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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 5 Apr. 2026.
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