setting back

Definition of setting backnext
present participle of set back

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for setting back
Verb
  • As each mourner spoke, some holding back tears and others sobbing, Metayer’s family watched in loving silence.
    Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
  • These two characters have been holding back all season and not talking to each other, and this was the moment to let everything out.
    William Earl, Variety, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The resultant device blends fast discharge speeds with massive storage capacity, holding up to 25 times more energy per kilogram than conventional versions.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of deliberately holding up oil supplies -- claims that Zelenskyy denies.
    LORNE COOK THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Are clients delaying decisions on big investments?
    Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Others called it a performative move that contrasts with the EPA’s recent regulatory actions, including a rollback of mercury emissions standards, rescinding drinking water limits for certain PFAS and delaying Biden-era restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions.
    Erika Edwards, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Johnson finished with 18 points on 7-of-22 shooting as TCU and Hunter were successful in slowing her down.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2026
  • It could be counteracted by a weaker employment number, given a slowing economy generally coincides with falling yields as investors seek out safety (bond yields move inversely to prices).
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • And moviegoers turned out to indies from Rosemead to The Chronology of Water, All That’s Left Of You and more, new and holding over, limited, wide and top ten.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Jan. 2026
  • MicroStrategy remains the leader among corporate crypto treasuries, holding over 638,000 bitcoins valued at an astonishing $71 billion.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The data reveals that ICE is detaining people at a record level.
    Ignacio Calderon, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Immigration agents are also detaining children, like 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, who was picked up in Minnesota, held at an ICE facility in Texas and released following a judge's order.
    Leila Fadel, NPR, 31 Mar. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Setting back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setting%20back. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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