setback

American  

[set-bak] / ˈsɛtˌbæk /

noun

• setbacks
  plural

1. a check to progress; a reverse or defeat.

   The new law was a setback.

2. Architecture. a recession of the upper part of a building from the building line, as to lighten the structure or to permit a desired amount of light and air to reach ground level at the foot of the building.

3. an act or instance of setting back.

   A nightly setback of your home thermostats can save a great deal of fuel.

4. Also a downward temperature adjustment of a thermostat, especially performed automatically, as by a timer.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• setbacks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of setback

First recorded in 1665–75; noun use of verb phrase set back

Explanation

A setback is an event that makes you lose progress or keeps you from gaining ground. If you're knitting a sweater, dropping a bunch of stitches would be a big setback. If warring countries are negotiating a treaty, a sudden resurgence of fighting would be a huge setback for their peace plan. And if you're trying to finish baking in time for you friend's birthday party, knocking the frosted cake onto the floor would also be a setback. Setbacks are always frustrating — unless you're talking about the kind of setback that's defined as "a building's distance from the street."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

setback setbacks

Robinson said Nesbitt's resignation was a "setback" for the "confidence that people have" in the health service.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

Doomsayers are always on hand, waiting for every hiccup on Wall Street or data center setback to proclaim the technology is about to pop.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

But in a major setback to Macron, the constitutional authority struck down a ban on social media access for children under 15.

From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026

Though he has not begun a minor-league rehab assignment, Roberts said Treinen has not had a setback.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

But as is so often the case with outliers, buried in that setback was a golden opportunity.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell

He said the hope is that he has gotten through the worst of his knee problem and won’t have any more setbacks.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026

When there are unknowns about how an industry will metabolize certain technological changes, they want to hire someone who bounces back from mistakes and takes setbacks in stride.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing growing discontent from some residents, a fraying relationship with the City Council and policy setbacks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026

Those setbacks have increased interest in treatments that can act more precisely.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 7, 2026

Though he makes more than he ever dreamed of in Mexico, his life is anything but middle class and setbacks are routine.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times

Related Words

• blow
• defeat
• delay
• difficulty
• hindrance
• impediment
• misfortune
• obstacle
• reversal
• set-back
• slowdown
• stumbling block
• trouble