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
Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2025
However, the following jackets will work well for many travelers despite a few setbacks.
—Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 12 Feb. 2025
Mary Logan Bikoff, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Manipulating the exchange rate would set back efforts to internationalize the yuan.
—William Pesek, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for setback 
Noun
The judge’s opinion on the buyout plan marks a rare legal win in the short existence of DOGE, which has faced court setbacks in efforts to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development and access the Treasury Department’s payment systems.
—Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2025
However, the following jackets will work well for many travelers despite a few setbacks.
—Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 12 Feb. 2025
Verb
In late November, the Iron Horse was set back out to pasture in the cornfield, now in a shiny new coat of black paint, sitting atop a Georgia granite plinth.
—Mary Logan Bikoff, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Manipulating the exchange rate would set back efforts to internationalize the yuan.
—William Pesek, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for setback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback
Noun
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Soter said companies that had been preparing to meet the rule's requirements could see the writing on the wall, with Donald Trump's election victory marking a reversal from the climate action under President Joe Biden.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
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This stark reversal of values is a signature of the Trump restoration.—
Michelle Goldberg,
The Mercury News,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In a new video for Allure, Palmer didn't hold back.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
7 Feb. 2025
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Explore Bush Gavin Rossdale See latest videos, charts and news Speaking on Canada’s Q with Tom Power, the rocker didn’t hold back on his concerns about the modern music business.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The latter stars Brad Pitt as a man born with the physical appearance and ailments of an elderly person, who ages in reverse.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
12 Feb. 2025
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Spanglish Year: 2004 Runtime: 2 hours 11 minutes Director: James L. Brooks Stars: Adam Sandler, Téa Leoni, and Paz Vega James L. Brooks’s caustic comedy of family and class hits like a dark chocolate in reverse, the bitterness giving way to a faintly sweet finish.—
Charles Bramesco,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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While on the House floor on Monday, Mace held up handcuffs.—
Rachel Schilke,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
11 Feb. 2025
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Nevertheless, the economy was holding up reasonably well.—
Jason Furman,
Foreign Affairs,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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And as Thursday's vote shows, when Republicans are aligned, Democrats only have the power to delay, not derail, their plans.—
Stephen Neukam,
Axios,
7 Feb. 2025
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Louisiana physicians are also delaying treatment of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy out of fear of breaking the law.—
Kerry Meagher,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Instead of the rapid decline and slow two-year recovery seen on land, plankton in the ocean bounced back within six months and even increased beyond normal levels afterwards.—
Victoria Corless,
Space.com,
11 Feb. 2025
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Brawley says that drugs approved in the last six months have been tested in trials over the last decade, so curtailing funding in research today will slow down the pace of progress and eventually result in fewer drugs.—
Alice Park,
TIME,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Six immigrants detained under that arrangement at a medium-security federal prison in Victorville, Calif., sued Trump, then-Atty.—
Michael R. Sisak,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2025
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Finland is still investigating the incident, but police have detained a ship carrying Russian oil products, suspected of dragging its anchor across the cable.—
Clare Sebastian,
CNN,
7 Feb. 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
Thesaurus Entries Near setback
Cite this Entry
“Setback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setback. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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