setback

1 of 2

noun

set·​back ˈset-ˌbak How to pronounce setback (audio)
1
: a checking of progress
2
3
4
: a placing of a face of a building on a line some distance to the rear of the building line or of the wall below
also : the area produced by a setback
5
: automatic scheduled adjustment to a lower temperature setting of a thermostat
6
: the distance of a structure or other feature (such as a well or septic system) from the property line or other feature

set back

2 of 2

verb

set back; setting back; sets back

transitive verb

1
: to slow the progress of : hinder, delay
2
: cost
a new suit will set you back $200

Examples of setback in a Sentence

Noun Despite some early setbacks, they eventually became a successful company. the colonists persevered despite suffering setbacks that would have discouraged lesser souls
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Firstly, the company faced significant setbacks in its clinical trials, particularly with its rheumatoid arthritis drug, filgotinib, which failed to gain FDA approval. Joe Cornell, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025 Comets fall 7-4 to San Diego The Comets suffered a setback last week, losing 7-4 against the San Diego Sockers on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California. Nathan Dunn, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
In October 1977, for example, then CIA Director Stansfield Turner abruptly fired some 800 operations officers, tanking morale at the agency and setting back human intelligence operations for years to come. Peter Schroeder, Foreign Affairs, 17 Jan. 2025 Amy Bach, with the consumer group United Policyholders, worries these catastrophic fires will set back efforts to bring insurance companies back to the market in places like Pacific Palisades and Altadena. Greg Allen, NPR, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for setback 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1674, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of setback was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near setback

Cite this Entry

“Setback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/setback. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

setback

noun
set·​back ˈset-ˌbak How to pronounce setback (audio)
: a slowing of progress : a temporary defeat

More from Merriam-Webster on setback

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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