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
Now the Braves will be left to regroup this winter after several injury setbacks for their star players.
—
Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
After more than 20 years of setbacks, Union Pacific Park in Fullerton is in the final stages of a complete overhaul and should be back open to the public by the end of the year.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
Don’t be afraid to show the human side, share the setbacks, the moments of doubt that led to clarity.
—Emad Rahim, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The litany of setbacks underscores the challenge facing the two superpowers as their top trade officials meet in Madrid for a fourth round of negotiations this week.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2025
For the next three years, early intervention programs — including reading, music and speech therapy — helped monitor Ness' children, looking for possible cognitive or learning setbacks.
—Jeff Truesdell, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Despite the setbacks, a few brave souls are still willing to bet on a movie business revival.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
The attacker was sidelined for eight months and endured setbacks during his rehabilitation.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
After months of setbacks for Elon Musk’s private space company, the latest launch was a rousing success.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
After more than 20 years of setbacks, Union Pacific Park in Fullerton is in the final stages of a complete overhaul and should be back open to the public by the end of the year.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
Don’t be afraid to show the human side, share the setbacks, the moments of doubt that led to clarity.
—Emad Rahim, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The litany of setbacks underscores the challenge facing the two superpowers as their top trade officials meet in Madrid for a fourth round of negotiations this week.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2025
For the next three years, early intervention programs — including reading, music and speech therapy — helped monitor Ness' children, looking for possible cognitive or learning setbacks.
—Jeff Truesdell, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Despite the setbacks, a few brave souls are still willing to bet on a movie business revival.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
The attacker was sidelined for eight months and endured setbacks during his rehabilitation.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
After months of setbacks for Elon Musk’s private space company, the latest launch was a rousing success.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setbacks
reversals
Noun
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Still, big gains can be followed by sharp reversals—so how has FFIV behaved after prior drops?—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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The data marked one of the first reversals after more than a decade of increasing despair.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Setbacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setbacks. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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