Setback Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

Definition of setback · 1 : a checking of progress · 2 : defeat, reverse · 3 : pitch entry 4 sense 7 · 4 : a placing of a face of a building on a line some distance ... Login SignUp Hello, Games&Quizzes Thesaurus WordoftheDay Features BuyingGuide M-WBooks MyWordsMyWords ViewRecents Account LogOut setback noun SaveWord set·​back |\ˈset-ˌbak \ Definitionofsetback (Entry1of2) 1 :acheckingofprogress 2 :defeat,reverse 3 :pitchentry4sense7 4 :aplacingofafaceofabuildingonalinesomedistancetotherearofthebuildinglineorofthewallbelow also :theareaproducedbyasetback 5 :automaticscheduledadjustmenttoalowertemperaturesettingofathermostat 6 :thedistanceofastructureorotherfeature(suchasawellorsepticsystem)fromthepropertylineorotherfeature setback verb setback;settingback;setsback Definitionofsetback (Entry2of2) transitiveverb 1 :toslowtheprogressof:hinder,delay 2 :cost anewsuitwillsetyouback$200 Synonyms ExampleSentences LearnMoreAboutsetback Synonymsforsetback Synonyms:Noun knock, lapse, reversal, reverse VisittheThesaurusforMore  ExamplesofsetbackinaSentence Noun Despitesomeearlysetbacks,theyeventuallybecameasuccessfulcompany. thecolonistspersevereddespitesufferingsetbacksthatwouldhavediscouragedlessersouls RecentExamplesontheWeb:Noun WendebornispersonallyactiveintheMaritimeArchaeologicalSocietyandseesthelossasarecoverablesetbackinhisresearch. — oregonlive,6Nov.2021 Buffalohaswonsixofitspastseven,withthelonesetbackcomingatTennesseethreeweeksago. — MarkLong,orlandosentinel.com,5Nov.2021 NancyexperiencesasetbackintheFrozenHeartscase,promptinghertoaskTemperanceforhelpwithanoccultapproach;AceexperiencesmoretroublefromtheBobbseyentanglement;Georgeconfrontsapersonfromherpast. — WashingtonPost,5Nov.2021 Butduringtheportionofpracticethatwasopentoreporters,Millerwentthroughalldrills,seeminglywithoutasetback. — GaryKleinStaffWriter,LosAngelesTimes,4Nov.2021 TheTigershavecomealongwayfroma47-yardrushingoutputagainstGeorgia,butanafternoonatKyleFieldcouldbeanuntimelysetbackifLealandJohnsonperformatahighlevel. — al,4Nov.2021 PresidentJoeBidenarrivedbackinWashingtonearlyWednesdaymorningfacingthebiggestsetbackofhispresidencyaftercrushingelectionresultsingubernatorialracesinVirginiaandNewJerseydeliveredarebukeofDemocraticleadership. — JoeyGarrison,USATODAY,4Nov.2021 Firmsfoundedbywomenaresetforarecord-breakingfund-raisingyearafterfacingadisproportionatesetbackduringthepandemiccomparedtofirmsfoundedbymen. — CourtneyVinopal,Quartz,3Nov.2021 AndwithRodgersamongaminorityofNFLplayers—theleaguestatedlastweekthat94.1%ofplayersarevaccinated—hisgamblehasproducedasignificantsetback. — DanWiederer,chicagotribune.com,3Nov.2021 Theseexamplesentencesareselectedautomaticallyfromvariousonlinenewssourcestoreflectcurrentusageoftheword'setback.'ViewsexpressedintheexamplesdonotrepresenttheopinionofMerriam-Websteroritseditors.Sendusfeedback. SeeMore FirstKnownUseofsetback Noun 1674,inthemeaningdefinedatsense1Verb 1600,inthemeaningdefinedatsense1 LearnMoreAboutsetback Sharesetback PosttheDefinitionofsetbacktoFacebook SharetheDefinitionofsetbackonTwitter TimeTravelerforsetback Thefirstknownuseofsetbackwas in1600 Seemorewordsfromthesameyear DictionaryEntriesNearsetback setation setback setback SeeMoreNearbyEntries  Statisticsforsetback LastUpdated 8Nov2021 Look-upPopularity CitethisEntry “Setback.”Merriam-Webster.comDictionary,Merriam-Webster,https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/setback.Accessed18Nov.2021. Style:MLA MLA Chicago APA Merriam-Webster MoreDefinitionsforsetback setback noun EnglishLanguageLearnersDefinitionofsetback :aproblemthatmakesprogressmoredifficultorsuccesslesslikely SeethefulldefinitionforsetbackintheEnglishLanguageLearnersDictionary setback noun set·​back |\ˈset-ˌbak \ KidsDefinitionofsetback :aslowingofprogress:atemporarydefeat Despiteseveralsetbackswefinishedonschedule. 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