as in reversal
a change in status for the worse usually temporarily
the colonists 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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of setback
Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 31 May 2025
Musk will return to his multiple companies at a time when his business empire has seen financial setbacks, especially at Tesla, his main source of wealth.
—Stephen Fowler, NPR, 30 May 2025
Becky Sullivan, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
That number would eclipse the previous record set back in 2005 of 44 million people.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN Money, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for setback
Noun
The bottom line Despite the clear setback delivered by the courts, administration officials insist nothing has shifted in Trump’s thinking.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 31 May 2025
Musk will return to his multiple companies at a time when his business empire has seen financial setbacks, especially at Tesla, his main source of wealth.
—Stephen Fowler, NPR, 30 May 2025
Verb
Two goals would tie the old record of 894, set back in 1999 by the great Wayne Gretzky.
—Becky Sullivan, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
That number would eclipse the previous record set back in 2005 of 44 million people.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN Money, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for setback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback
Noun
-
Finally, Elon Musk’s DOGE activities brought its own host of circuit tests that generated smoke and reversals.—
Bruce Yandle,
Boston Herald,
1 June 2025
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In a reversal from the last two years, the base variant of the latest series, the iPhone 16, leads the chart, followed by the iPhone 16 Pro Max, 16 Pro, and iPhone 15.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
Several Mercer players had to be held back in the dugout.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
26 May 2025
-
That story has repeated itself this year, with the Fed continuing to hold back on rate cuts, even though investors have consistently expected more.—
Michael Foster,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
Noun
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Flanagan, also to his credit, goes all in on the legendary author’s unconventional storytelling, a lifetime that unfurls in three acts and in reverse.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
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One of the elements that makes the story unique is the unconventional structure, with three acts told in reverse, and the opening act initially feels unconnected to the rest of the film.—
William Earl,
Variety,
5 June 2025
Verb
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That lead held up until the fifth when Caleb Braden doubled in a pair of runs to highlight and three-run uprising to give No. 2 Wall (29-6) a 3-2 advantage.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 May 2025
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Springsteen has never shied away from holding up a thoughtful mirror reflecting the state of our nation.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Since his sentencing 37 years ago, Menzies' attorneys have filed multiple appeals that delayed his death sentence, which had been scheduled at least twice before it was postponed.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2025
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Last year, the NFL reported a 20,000% increase in unauthorized drone activity over games between 2017 and 2023, some of which delayed games.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Expectations are for nonfarm payroll job growth to slow to 125,000 from 177,000 in April.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
1 June 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,
1 June 2025
Verb
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Fewer than 80 of the 500 people detained by ICE had criminal records.—
Sergio Martínez-Beltrán,
NPR,
7 June 2025
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For several hours Friday, advocates gathered outside Ambiance Apparel’s warehouse shouting legal advice to those being detained inside.—
Rachel Uranga,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2025
Verb
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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
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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 10 Jun. 2025.
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