as in reversal
a change in status for the worse usually temporarily
The explorers persevered despite suffering setbacks that would have discouraged lesser souls.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to hold back
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of set back
Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Sep. 2025
Plant development gets set back weeks, or, worst case scenario, there are no blueberries, azaleas, or peaches that year.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2025
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
Mentally strong kids know how to regulate their emotions, trust themselves, and rebound after setbacks.
—Reem Raouda, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for set back
Noun
Clocks are set back an hour for Daylight Saving Time in November.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Sep. 2025
Plant development gets set back weeks, or, worst case scenario, there are no blueberries, azaleas, or peaches that year.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
Both teams experienced injury setbacks going into the matchup.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
Mentally strong kids know how to regulate their emotions, trust themselves, and rebound after setbacks.
—Reem Raouda, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for set back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for set back
Noun
-
Krenwinkel’s challenge to that reversal was denied by the Los Angeles County Superior Court in January 2024, and the ruling was later affirmed on appeal.—
Stepheny Price , Melissa Chrise,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Among the most visible reversals are in trucking and auto regulation.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Lombardi didn’t hold back letting UNC’s personnel staffers, a mix of holdovers and new hires, know why.—
The Athletic Colleges staff,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
-
His unwillingness to name a successor is fueling fears of impending political chaos, World Politics Review said, and arguably holding back progress in the country.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Maybe this inspires you to craft your own Steak Nuggets at home with our reverse-sear method.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
6 Oct. 2025
-
At the same time, the drone activates its reverse thrust mode, pressing its feet firmly against the vehicle’s surface.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Multiverse’s argument that compressed models significantly cut energy use might also not hold up over time, because cheaper, more accessible AI models will likely attract billions more users.—
Vivienne Walt,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
-
The top-loading tray holds up to 60 sheets of paper, and 3 months of ink are included with your purchase.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Persons should delay all travel if possible.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Should your flight get delayed or canceled, whether through staffing shortages, a technical meltdown or extreme weather (a nor’easter is expected on the East Coast this weekend), CNN Travel has some advice on what to do next.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Fed, however, is facing both problems at the same time — a rare and complicated problem for the bank to fight, especially with interest rates already at levels that could slow the economy.—
Sylvan Lane,
The Hill,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Mohd Rasfan | Afp | Getty Images Singapore’s economy expanded faster than expected in the third quarter, even as the country’s central bank warned that growth is likely to slow in 2026.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Then the nephew was detained in a traffic stop and deported.—
Melissa Sanchez,
ProPublica,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The Israeli Justice Ministry said 250 Palestinian prisoners and detainees held in Israeli prisons, as well as about 1,700 people detained in Gaza since the war began, are set to be released as part of the deal.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As engine revs increase, centrifugal force alters the valve timing by a few degrees, either advancing or retarding it.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 17,
New Atlas,
17 June 2025
-
Genesis Yes, the thing retarding recruitment below pre-2022 levels may be, at least in part, a military-wide health-records update that, much like MyChart in the civilian health-care world, tracks the medications of all service members.—
Luther Ray Abel,
National Review,
9 Feb. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Set back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20back. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share