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
Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
So, as White House aides figured out how to spin the setbacks, the most obvious answer was also the easiest: cut Musk loose.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 2 Apr. 2025
Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Trump administration cuts to the United States Agency for International Development have set back aid groups operating in the Gaza Strip.
—Imad Isseid and Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for setback
Noun
That same month, the ICC dealt Peoples a setback, ordering the utility to speed up and complete its long-running, multibillion-dollar pipeline replacement program by 2035, but denying a more comprehensive $7.2 billion proposal to modernize its entire system.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
So, as White House aides figured out how to spin the setbacks, the most obvious answer was also the easiest: cut Musk loose.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
This sets back delivery of electricity (green or not) to data centers that are needed for AI.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Trump administration cuts to the United States Agency for International Development have set back aid groups operating in the Gaza Strip.
—Imad Isseid and Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for setback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback
Noun
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German diplomatic missions abroad are unable to influence the reversal of a denial of entry.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Apr. 2025
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The reversals of the Biden-era lawsuits mark the beginnings of a broader effort by Trump administration officials to attempt to tighten their grip on federal elections.—
Ashley Oliver,
The Washington Examiner,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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With that in mind, Barca did not hold back in the second leg.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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Front-line employees can either supercharge their efforts through AI or hold back the value of transformation through misuse or misunderstanding.—
Jason Snyder,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The same thing happened in reverse when judges often blocked Biden administration plans.—
Christina Gatti,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2025
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Lessons from history The U.S. has seen how trade policy can shape investment decisions – just in reverse.—
Bedassa Tadesse,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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There’s a bit of a balancing act that goes on here; the wine should have enough acidity and freshness to hold up to tomato sauce in addition to medium to strong tannins that will cut through fatty cheese.—
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2025
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Some of us have the ability to go outside and hold up a sign, and some of us are not able to.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Arkansas established a school scoring record for a three-game series, averaging 17 runs in the seven-inning games — the first via run rule on Saturday, the next two on Sunday shortened after weather delayed the series — against the Tigers, who averaged three runs per game.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
8 Apr. 2025
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What may happen is a pause by some companies in shipping goods to the U.S. Automaker Jaguar Land Rover and gaming outfit Nintendo have already announced a change of plans; the former is pausing shipment of its cars for a month, and Nintendo delayed pre-orders for its new Switch 2 console.—
Giacomo Tognini,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The company, which achieved its first full year of profitability in 2024, sees further opportunity in its advertising business, but also saw ad revenue growth slow down in the second half of the year.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2025
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Ne Zha 2 is slowing down in the market, and another local title is also opening this session.—
Nancy Tartaglione,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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June refused, and Serena agreed to go to a hospital, where she was detained by immigration officers.—
Abigail Lee,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2025
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The victim was a 25-year-old woman, and police have detained a person of interest, a New York City Police Department (NYPD) spokesperson told Fox News Digital.—
Audrey Conklin,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 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 16 Apr. 2025.
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