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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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of set back
Natasha Frost, New York Times, 30 June 2025
And these strikes ultimately set back those diplomatic conversations.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 29 June 2025
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 July 2025
However, transportation to and from some schools could see setbacks despite the bell time changes.
—Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for set back
Noun
His comments widened the divide with the Trump administration over how severely the U.S. set back Iran’s nuclear program.
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 30 June 2025
And these strikes ultimately set back those diplomatic conversations.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 29 June 2025
Verb
By Mark Gurman, Bloomberg Apple Inc. has lost its fourth AI researcher in a month to Meta Platforms Inc., marking the latest setback to the iPhone maker’s artificial intelligence efforts.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 July 2025
However, transportation to and from some schools could see setbacks despite the bell time changes.
—Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for set back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for set back
Noun
-
The reversal served to infuriate Patrick, who presides over the Senate, and several lawmakers who accused Mindell of misleading them with his statements to the Finance panel.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
Coenraads served as research director for seven years and demonstrated the first global reversal of symptoms in preclinical models in 2007.—
Maggie McGrath,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
Verb
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In the film, Loggins, who spent 50 years touring the road, doesn’t hold back when talking about chasing his artistic dreams, staying in the game, and being a father on the road.—
Addie Morfoot,
Variety,
25 July 2025
-
Juan Thornhill, one of Pittsburgh's safeties, did not hold back when talking about Rodgers.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
Close to half are moving too slowly, and 18% are actually trending in reverse.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
-
Criss then woke up and resisted police before allegedly putting the vehicle in reverse and ramming a police cruiser, Gallupe said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Still, her payment is being held up pending the outcome of an investigation by the Texas Rangers.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
Even in a difficult environment, his shot-stopping held up to expectations.—
Matt Pyzdrowski,
New York Times,
30 July 2025
Verb
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South Park's season 27 premiere was delayed and ultimately moved from Comedy Central to Paramount+ amid parent company Paramount's pending merger with Skydance.—
Emlyn Travis Published,
EW.com,
25 July 2025
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This time, with a defender close to the Derby man, Trafford delayed coming out.—
Matt Pyzdrowski,
New York Times,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
For a long time, scientists thought the expansion rate was slowing with time, like a coasting car.—
Sarah Scoles,
JSTOR Daily,
31 July 2025
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Job growth tends to slow in the summer months and at the turn of some firms’ fiscal years, but the US labor market is also in the thick of a structural slog, with job gains overwhelmingly concentrated in a fraction of industries.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
31 July 2025
Verb
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Luckily, other passengers managed to stop him and pin him down before crew members were able to detain the man.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
25 July 2025
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Yang, a 37-year-old mother of five, was detained that day and deported two weeks later to Laos – a small country in Southeast Asia that her parents had fled four decades earlier.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
25 July 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 6 Aug. 2025.
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