setback

1 of 2

noun

set·​back ˈset-ˌbak How to pronounce setback (audio)
1
: a checking of progress
2
3
4
: a placing of a face of a building on a line some distance to the rear of the building line or of the wall below
also : the area produced by a setback
5
: automatic scheduled adjustment to a lower temperature setting of a thermostat
6
: the distance of a structure or other feature (such as a well or septic system) from the property line or other feature

set back

2 of 2

verb

set back; setting back; sets back

transitive verb

1
: to slow the progress of : hinder, delay
2
: cost
a new suit will set you back $200

Examples of setback in a Sentence

Noun Despite some early setbacks, they eventually became a successful company. The explorers persevered despite suffering setbacks that would have discouraged those with lesser ambition.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Yet Vardy took his early setbacks and used them to become one of the most resilient players in history. Ciarán McArdle, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 By all accounts, there has been no setback in his return from the elbow inflammation that has sidelined him since mid-March. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2025
Verb
That number would eclipse the previous record set back in 2005 of 44 million people. Andrew Torgan, CNN Money, 18 May 2025 Yet with Iran's uranium enrichment already on the precipice of becoming weapons-grade, the Iranian nuclear program is likely too far along to be set back through military actions alone. Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for setback

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1674, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of setback was in 1600

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Setback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/setback. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

setback

noun
set·​back ˈset-ˌbak How to pronounce setback (audio)
: a slowing of progress : a temporary defeat

More from Merriam-Webster on setback

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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