as in reversal
a change in status for the worse usually temporarily
the colonists persevered despite suffering setbacks that would have discouraged lesser souls
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to hold back
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 setback
Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
So, as White House aides figured out how to spin the setbacks, the most obvious answer was also the easiest: cut Musk loose.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 2 Apr. 2025
Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Trump administration cuts to the United States Agency for International Development have set back aid groups operating in the Gaza Strip.
—Imad Isseid and Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for setback
Noun
That same month, the ICC dealt Peoples a setback, ordering the utility to speed up and complete its long-running, multibillion-dollar pipeline replacement program by 2035, but denying a more comprehensive $7.2 billion proposal to modernize its entire system.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
So, as White House aides figured out how to spin the setbacks, the most obvious answer was also the easiest: cut Musk loose.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
This sets back delivery of electricity (green or not) to data centers that are needed for AI.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Trump administration cuts to the United States Agency for International Development have set back aid groups operating in the Gaza Strip.
—Imad Isseid and Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for setback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback
Noun
-
German diplomatic missions abroad are unable to influence the reversal of a denial of entry.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Apr. 2025
-
The reversals of the Biden-era lawsuits mark the beginnings of a broader effort by Trump administration officials to attempt to tighten their grip on federal elections.—
Ashley Oliver,
The Washington Examiner,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
With that in mind, Barca did not hold back in the second leg.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Front-line employees can either supercharge their efforts through AI or hold back the value of transformation through misuse or misunderstanding.—
Jason Snyder,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The same thing happened in reverse when judges often blocked Biden administration plans.—
Christina Gatti,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2025
-
When the ship is ready to depart, the pilot once again boards and performs the process in reverse, usually disembarking onto the pilot boat in the same way.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Beijing Hits Pause Button While Beijing's regulator cited standard anti-trust grounds for the review, China watchers said the rationale did not hold up.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
-
The 14,000-seat stadium, where the Triple-A River Cats opened their season over the weekend, received a makeover in preparation for the A’s temporary stay, including a drainage and irrigation system that should help the playing surface hold up to near-daily action this summer.—
Evan Webeck,
Mercury News,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
China’s chief antitrust regulator is currently reviewing the BlackRock-Hutchison deal, effectively delaying the transaction before it was expected to be signed on April 2.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Apr. 2025
-
What may happen is a pause by some companies in shipping goods to the U.S. Automaker Jaguar Land Rover and gaming outfit Nintendo have already announced a change of plans; the former is pausing shipment of its cars for a month, and Nintendo delayed pre-orders for its new Switch 2 console.—
Giacomo Tognini,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The company, which achieved its first full year of profitability in 2024, sees further opportunity in its advertising business, but also saw ad revenue growth slow down in the second half of the year.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Ne Zha 2 is slowing down in the market, and another local title is also opening this session.—
Nancy Tartaglione,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
June refused, and Serena agreed to go to a hospital, where she was detained by immigration officers.—
Abigail Lee,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Related article Supreme Court allows Trump to enforce Alien Enemies Act for rapid deportations for now Details on why the family was detained in the warrant were not released until Monday.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Turning the lithium oxide—the product of discharging the battery—back to lithium is difficult and only partially possible even when assisted by special catalysts: The oxide builds up and retards the process, limiting the number of charge-discharge cycles to a mere handful.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
31 Jan. 2011
Cite this Entry
“Setback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setback. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share