SETBACKS Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

setbacks

noun

plural of setback

as in reversals

a change in status for the worse usually temporarily the colonists persevered despite suffering setbacks that would have discouraged lesser souls

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

status quos

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of setbacks Specifically, community members highlighted the 60-decibel noise threshold, 25-foot building setbacks and chalking restrictions. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2026 Other potential launch providers, United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin, are both working through setbacks with their launch vehicles. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026 As last week’s red flag warning took effect, the reservoir remained out of service after a series of setbacks during repairs. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 But, refusing to die a slow death of a thousand permitting blockades or financial setbacks, SunZia instead evolved. — Sara Herschander, Vox, 22 Oct. 2026 Despite some setbacks, the producers believe that the film is more successful than a film about a camboy and a pedophile could have ever hoped to be. — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2026 In an exchange filing to the Australian Securities Exchange, NextDC blamed setbacks to its M3 Melbourne data center. — Jay Ganglani, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026 Since dropping into the Congo Basin, Dykes has already hit some setbacks, including losing his luggage upon arrival (and then ultimately getting it back). — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2026 Through schoolyard rivalries, neighborhood hustles, and family setbacks, Kev turns every disaster into a story. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for setbacks

Noun

The president, who generally resists admitting fault, has recently made several reversals responding to ethical concerns.

— Isaac Arnsdorf, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2026
But while anti-immigrant, pro-Russian parties have made inroads across the continent in recent years, there have also been notable reversals, and some have softened their views to build coalitions with moderates.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of reversals

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set back

setbacks

set by

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“Setbacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setbacks. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of setbacks

noun

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