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

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

In the United States, the unwinding of the Manus deal may be a temporary setback for Meta, which is racing to strengthen its position in AI.

From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026

Stocks are poised to start another busy week with modest gains despite another diplomatic setback with Iran.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026

This a temporary setback for a major comeback.

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas

Despite what seemed like a straightforward case with ample evidence, both prosecutions faced setbacks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 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

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

From Science Daily ● Aug. 7, 2026

Despite the company facing many of the similar setbacks felt across the industry over the past few years, such as layoffs and game cancellations, it has had a strong financial performance more recently.

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

You’re supposed to plan for setbacks, she always tells people, not react to them.

From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina

Related Words

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