as in reversal
a change in status for the worse usually temporarily
The explorers persevered despite suffering setbacks that would have discouraged lesser souls.
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to hold back
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of set back
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 July 2025
This deal is therefore a major move toward reducing EU reliance on Russian energy, which can ensure greater energy security, and may help significantly set back Russia’s war machine by hitting the Kremlin in the pocketbook.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
Bochy, the four-time World Series champion, has long said that the loss of a frontline pitcher is tougher to overcome than setbacks to most other players during a season.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for set back
Noun
Maybe the recent mission will do as intended and seriously set back Iran’s nuclear bombs program, but perhaps not.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 July 2025
This deal is therefore a major move toward reducing EU reliance on Russian energy, which can ensure greater energy security, and may help significantly set back Russia’s war machine by hitting the Kremlin in the pocketbook.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Verb
What seemed like a season-ending issue turned out to be a minor setback for a former Philadelphia Eagles standout.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
Bochy, the four-time World Series champion, has long said that the loss of a frontline pitcher is tougher to overcome than setbacks to most other players during a season.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for set back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for set back
Noun
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This is a reversal from 2022, the year the war started, when most favored Ukraine fighting until victory, and only a fifth wanted a negotiated end as soon as possible.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
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The president’s warm remarks were a stark reversal from just four days earlier, when Trump called for Tan’s resignation and accused him of having conflicts of interest.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Speaking with reporters, Mailata didn't hold back on the level of difficulty Garrett brought to the table.—
Justin Grasso,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
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At a joint practice against the New England Patriots last week, Flores didn’t hold back, and Metellus changed forms fluidly from snap to snap.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Although this benefit disappears or reverses for certain cancers, including liver, head and neck cancers.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Aug. 2025
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Instead, objectives and alignments change at the drop of a hat, with undue time being spent on constructing plot twists in reverse, revealing information for which the viewer has no context until they’re pummeled with clunky, post-facto exposition.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Jumbo cups are roughly twice the size of standard cups, holding up to a full cup of batter.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
22 Aug. 2025
-
In the video, Benoit held up a black beaded bag featuring fireworks, the Statue of Liberty, and the Twin Towers—once a defining feature of the Manhattan skyline.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Financial Narrative Control: In one case that stood out, a retailer’s communications team, reporting to the CFO, delayed announcing a new technology partnership for a year to better align with the company's financial narrative.—
Kiri Masters,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
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Thunderstorms delayed Thursday's opening round, softening the greens and testing the pros.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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One consequence of tight monetary policy tends to be a slowing economy and a cooler labor market.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
25 Aug. 2025
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In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here's what to know: Ease off the accelerator - Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In the first three-plus months of the new administration, Coast Guard personnel detained more than 860 aliens and stopped as much illicit cocaine as was interdicted at sea during fiscal 2024, Adm. Kevin E. Lunday told the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security on May 14.—
Gidget Fuentes,
USA Today,
19 Aug. 2025
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Children as young as two years old were often detained in place of their parents and some were also abused and tortured, the group found.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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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
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Blockchain thus provides companies and banks a way to undo Basel II’s and Basel III’s retarding effect on trade finance while complying with their requirements.—
Rebecca Liao,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Aug. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Set back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20back. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
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