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
Natasha Frost, New York Times, 30 June 2025
And these strikes ultimately set back those diplomatic conversations.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 29 June 2025
Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 2025
The Netherlands slashed its offshore wind power generation goal by up to 40%, marking the latest setback for the sector.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 16 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
Despite the setbacks, Carthen and Vansteenberghe had at least one thing going for them: America.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 2025
The Netherlands slashed its offshore wind power generation goal by up to 40%, marking the latest setback for the sector.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for set back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for set back
Noun
-
What followed the takeover can only be described as a total reversal of the progress made in the country during the twenty years of the Afghan Republic, and the return of terror.—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
-
For President Donald Trump, whose political career has benefited from voter anxiety over Washington elites, the health of his predecessor and the riches of Wall Street, the past week offered a reversal of fortune.—
Josh Wingrove,
Fortune,
19 July 2025
Verb
-
Juan Thornhill, one of Pittsburgh's safeties, did not hold back when talking about Rodgers.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
-
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
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
-
On July 10, air traffic control cleared the Delta Airbus A321, which can hold up to 220 passengers, for takeoff two minutes ahead of schedule at 9:58 a.m., according to live flight tracker site Flight Aware.—
Hadley Hitson,
The Tennessean,
15 July 2025
-
Jenner even showed off his surfing moves, getting up on top of a board being held up by multiple friends.—
Rachel McRady,
People.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
To understand why, consider what businesses stand to lose by delaying automation.—
Laurent Charpentier,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
-
No rain should delay either the sprint race or qualifying, but race day is a different story.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
Freezing preserves the flavor of the syrup, and also slows the rate of spoilage.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
19 July 2025
-
These may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to address pain and inflammation, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to slow the progression, and biologics that affect your immune system.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
19 July 2025
Verb
-
The arrests by Covington police came during a rally held in support of Imam Ayman Soliman, an Egyptian immigrant and former Cincinnati Children's chaplain, whom ICE detained July 9.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Courier-Journal,
25 July 2025
-
So you were detained for about a month before being transferred in March?—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
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 29 Jul. 2025.
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