as in reversal
a change in status for the worse usually temporarily
The explorers 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
J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 14 May 2026
Two tax proposals pushed by progressive lawmakers in the California Assembly and backed by a coalition of labor unions, immigrant rights groups and health access advocacy organizations hit a setback Thursday when the Assembly Appropriations Committee held both bills back.
—Andrew Graham
may 14, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2026
In addition to world-class golf, there are boutique hotels like Habitas Tulum, comprised of 32 ultra-posh canvas tents, most of which are set back in the jungle under the cover of palm and sea grape trees.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Noun
Fuel shortages stemming from the Iran war are forcing India’s second-largest airline to cut more than a quarter of its international flights for the summer, in the latest setback for global aviation.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 14 May 2026
Two tax proposals pushed by progressive lawmakers in the California Assembly and backed by a coalition of labor unions, immigrant rights groups and health access advocacy organizations hit a setback Thursday when the Assembly Appropriations Committee held both bills back.
—Andrew Graham
may 14, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
Verb
His battles against football authorities in Spain, including referees, have been set back by a new strong partnership between La Liga and the Spanish FA.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2026
In addition to world-class golf, there are boutique hotels like Habitas Tulum, comprised of 32 ultra-posh canvas tents, most of which are set back in the jungle under the cover of palm and sea grape trees.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback
Noun
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In a stunning reversal, the Justice Department filed a motion in February seeking to drop criminal charges against the two Venezuelan men.—
Ashley Killough,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
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And Counterpoint flagged a sales reversal in the sixth week after launch, which raises questions about whether Samsung’s numbers will continue to look this good in the coming weeks.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Residents who stood their ground held back forty-foot flames armed with only garden hoses.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
-
New York, which hosted the Democrats in 1976 and 1980, was the last city to hold back-to-back conventions for the same party, but Chicago has been a repeat site.—
Dan Petrella,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
Noun
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Trying to play in Pedro Neto, Estevao, or even a reverse pass to Andrey Santos might have been a better option.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
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Watching the pair scheme in crisp shot-reverse-shot carries much of the film’s easy charm, like witnessing a pair of Al Hirschfeld caricatures suddenly brought to life.—
Ben Croll,
IndieWire,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The 400 square-metre basement ballroom, coloured in jade, can hold up to 350 people.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
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The long view The expectation of a lower enrollment trend holding up is one of the key factors likely to translate into higher cost estimates as insurers draw up 2027 rates.—
Julie Appleby,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Alexis Mac Allister, whose fall from grace this season has been akin to Fabinho’s stark decline in 2022-23, stupidly delayed the taking of a Villa corner with some playacting which even prompted Slot to tell him to get up.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
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Air Charter Service offers an eclipse charter flight from London Stansted Airport that gives eclipse chasers flexibility by delaying the final destination decision until close to departure day, allowing organizers to target the clearest skies.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Los Angeles made a move for their future by taking Ty Simpson in the draft, but Matthew Stafford isn’t poised to slow down after his MVP season.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
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Certain exercises can help slow bone loss and stimulate bone growth.—
RikkiLynn Shields Hannigan,
Health,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Nelson said a person who had befriended Damas while they were both detained called him to tell him Damas was not doing well and that he had been taken to the hospital.—
Suzanne Gamboa,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
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Fox – who officials said was initially detained along with Eatherly then released – was flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center and underwent emergency surgery, according to the warrant.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
15 May 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
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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 20 May. 2026.
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