setback

1 of 2

noun

set·​back ˈset-ˌbak 

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 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

Synonyms

Noun

• knock
• lapse
• reversal
• reverse

Examples of setback in a Sentence

Noun

Despite some early setbacks, they eventually became a successful company.

the colonists persevered despite suffering setbacks that would have discouraged lesser souls

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

No Escape From Now, will be a feature length documentary revolving around the health setbacks Osbourne has faced since 2019, including his recent Parkinson’s diagnosis. —Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025

Share your own struggles and the lessons learned from your setbacks. —Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, Contributor, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025

Verb

In the case of Washington, his infamous Atlanta Compromise Speech gave bad people cover and led to the historic Plessy vs Ferguson decision by the U.S. Supreme Court – setting back race relations for half a century. —Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2025

Trump might also set back democratic values by coercing Ukraine into a lousy peace or supporting Hungarian President Viktor Orban and other rulers who seek to dismantle European liberalism. —Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1674, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for setback

• aback
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback

Kids Definition

setback

noun

set·​back ˈset-ˌbak 

: a slowing of progress : a temporary defeat