setback

[set-bak]

noun

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of setback¹

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

Example Sentences

This latest setback has seen head coach Steve Tandy take his matchday squad changes to 12, while there are eight changes to his XV.

Read more on BBC

I’m grateful for the nights when things didn’t go as planned—missed opportunities, unexpected setbacks, even failures.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But the government faces steep obstacles to successfully prosecute either after this setback, and experts hesitate to predict what could happen next due to the cases' unprecedented nature.

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The nonprofit’s founder, Alexxa Oliver, told the station that the situation is difficult, but she’s maintaining a positive outlook despite the setback.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Simba have struggled at the national stadium in Dar es Salaam, drawing both qualifiers there, and the Group D loss is an early setback.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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