setback

[ set-bak ]

/ ˈsɛtˌbæk /

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See synonyms for: setback / setbacks on Thesaurus.com

noun

a check to progress; a reverse or defeat: The new law was a setback.

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.

an act or instance of setting back: A nightly setback of your home thermostats can save a great deal of fuel.

Also set-back. a downward temperature adjustment of a thermostat, especially performed automatically, as by a timer.

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THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

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Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of setback

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

Words nearby setback

set a precedent, setaria, set-aside, set at, set at rest, setback, set back on one's heels, set back the clock, set by, set chisel, set down

Other definitions for setback (2 of 2)

set-back

[ set-bak ]

/ ˈsɛtˌbæk /

noun

Surveying. the interval by which a chain or tape exceeds the length being measured.

setback (def. 4).

Origin of set-back

Special use of setback

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use setback in a sentence

Now to see whether ViacomCBS is able to avoid the setbacks that have waylaid NBCUniversal’s Peacock and WarnerMedia’s HBO Max.
How the future of TV and streaming has – and hasn’t – been reshaped so far by 2020|Tim Peterson|September 16, 2020|Digiday
To prevent another unpleasant and surprising setback, the commission also called for a whistleblower system.
A CRISPR Baby Future? New Report Outlines Path to Human Germline Editing|Shelly Fan|September 15, 2020|Singularity Hub
Backing away from the deal would be a rare setback for Arnault, who built his empire through a string of acquisitions, amassing a conglomerate encompassing everything from Dior fashions to Dom Perignon Champagne.
Tiffany sues LVMH after $16 billion deal collapses|Rachel King|September 9, 2020|Fortune
The setback comes as a group of international scientists raised questions over a fast-moving vaccine from Russia, saying some results of a study appeared improbable.
Some scientists downplay significance of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine trial halt|Claire Zillman, reporter|September 9, 2020|Fortune

Despite such setbacks, cryptocurrency veterans believe yield farming and DeFi are part of a massive and permanent expansion of their industry.
Crypto soars again as traders embrace ‘DeFi’ and ‘yield farming’—but some see echoes of the 2017 bubble|Jeff|August 25, 2020|Fortune
This is hardly the “setback for gay marriage” that some enthusiastic headline-writers have proclaimed.
Gay Marriage Chaos Begins|Jay Michaelson|November 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It meant more to our father to see us deal with a setback and try to bounce back than to watch how we handled our successes.
‘Calamity Jill’ Rises Again: Fired New York Times Editor Returns to the Public Stage|Lloyd Grove|May 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Each new setback, whether contrived or not, makes Jarvis newly “determined not to give the cameras the reaction they craved.”
Polar Explorer vs. Reality TV Crew: Tim Jarvis in the Footsteps of Shackleton|Darrell Hartman|January 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Seneca encouraged followers to possess the strength of immunity to setback, but never withheld his human touch.
New Year’s Reading List: Books to Transform Your Sad Life|David Masciotra|January 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If the New York City vote passes, as it is likely to, it will be the highest-profile setback for e-cigarettes in this country.
E-Cigarettes, Facing Ban, Still Figuring Out What They Want to Be|Alex Halperin|December 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Some Manchurian walnuts also got a setback with spring frosts, and some did not.
Northern Nut Growers Association Thirty-Fourth Annual Report 1943|Various
He polled less than a third of the votes, and Sinn Fein received a serious setback.
The Evolution of Sinn Fein|Robert Mitchell Henry
"Look at her mouth—made for passion—and the very setback of her throat—" He threw his head back in Clara's defiant manner.
Sons and Lovers|David Herbert Lawrence
There is usually a setback in the wall at the floor level, but this practice was not followed in all the rooms.
Casa Grande Ruin|Cosmos Mindeleff
The lawyer quickly returned, having received another setback.
Max Fargus|Owen Johnson

British Dictionary definitions for setback

set back

verb (tr, adverb)

to hinder; impede

informal to cost (a person) a specified amount

noun setback

anything that serves to hinder or impede

a recession in the upper part of a high building, esp one that increases the daylight at lower levels

Also called: offset, setoff a steplike shelf where a wall is reduced in thickness

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with setback

set back

Slow down the progress of, hinder, as in The project was set back by the frequent absences of staff members. [First half of 1500s]

Cost, as in That car set me back twenty thousand dollars. [Colloquial; c. 1900]

Change to a lower level or earlier time, as in We set back the thermostat whenever we go on vacation, or On October 10 we have to set back the clocks. [First half of 1600s] Set back the clock is also used figuratively to mean “return to an earlier era,” as in He wished he could set back the clock to those carefree high-school days. Also see set forward.