as in reversals
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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Recent Examples of setbacks
Moscow’s efforts to recruit students for its own expert drone units have been mired in distrust and setbacks, according to Stepanenko, after Russia’s Ministry of Defense committed some drone operators to frontline ground assaults.
—
Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
That aside, there has been precious little obvious progress and some notable setbacks.
—Anand Menon, Time, 13 June 2026
For DeCarlo, however, one of the biggest reasons the project stayed on schedule and avoided major setbacks came down to preparation.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026
Among the setbacks was reportedly an unsuccessful 2007 audition for the lead role in Disney’s Sonny With a Chance—a part that ultimately went to Demi Lovato.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 12 June 2026
After a difficult finish to his brief time with the Boston Red Sox, and years of injury setbacks with the Dodgers before that, May has quietly emerged as one of the Cardinals' most reliable starters.
—Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
But the tragedies and setbacks that would haunt the band for decades more (Oakley died in a motorcycle accident of his own in 1972) also came to include Jaimoe.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2026
But in recent weeks, the Great American State Fair has faced some setbacks.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 12 June 2026
In Pennsylvania, ordinances have established setbacks for data centers from 50 feet (15 meters) to 400 feet (122 meters).
—Michael Helbing, The Conversation, 11 June 2026
Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
That aside, there has been precious little obvious progress and some notable setbacks.
—Anand Menon, Time, 13 June 2026
For DeCarlo, however, one of the biggest reasons the project stayed on schedule and avoided major setbacks came down to preparation.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026
Among the setbacks was reportedly an unsuccessful 2007 audition for the lead role in Disney’s Sonny With a Chance—a part that ultimately went to Demi Lovato.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 12 June 2026
After a difficult finish to his brief time with the Boston Red Sox, and years of injury setbacks with the Dodgers before that, May has quietly emerged as one of the Cardinals' most reliable starters.
—Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
But the tragedies and setbacks that would haunt the band for decades more (Oakley died in a motorcycle accident of his own in 1972) also came to include Jaimoe.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2026
But in recent weeks, the Great American State Fair has faced some setbacks.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 12 June 2026
In Pennsylvania, ordinances have established setbacks for data centers from 50 feet (15 meters) to 400 feet (122 meters).
—Michael Helbing, The Conversation, 11 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setbacks
Noun
-
For 50 years, the case has generated theories and verdicts and reversals and books and television specials.—
Kate Casey,
Vanity Fair,
2 June 2026
-
The reversals, recoveries, and successes often receive far less coverage.—
Ingmar Rentzhog,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
The year ahead now promises multiple serious reverses.—
David Miliband,
Time,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Most of those came on reverses or other wide runs.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Setbacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setbacks. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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