setback

1 of 2

noun

set·​back ˈset-ˌbak 

1

: a checking of progress

2

: defeat, reverse

3

: pitch entry 4 sense 7

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

Synonyms

Noun

• knock
• lapse
• reversal
• reverse

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

Noun

Thorpe’s setback was part of a Saturday filled with painful injury updates for the Sox. —Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025

Halterman recently had a setback with her health following a recent bout of COVID-19 earlier this year that landed her in the hospital for three days, requiring a heart monitor. —Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025

Verb

However, unlike most other neighborhoods in the borough, Carroll Gardens townhouses were set back from the street to make room for small front gardens. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2025

This sets back delivery of electricity (green or not) to data centers that are needed for AI. —Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1674, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for setback

• aback
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback

Kids Definition

setback

noun

set·​back ˈset-ˌbak 

: a slowing of progress : a temporary defeat