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 Through schoolyard rivalries, neighborhood hustles, and family setbacks, Kev turns every disaster into a story. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026 Despite undergoing a blood transfusion, which briefly provided a glimpse of hope, Jackie continued to suffer setbacks in her recovery due to the sickness, which remained a mystery until Wednesday's announcement by California wildlife officials. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 Part of investors’ concern about the company is tied to a data-center project in New Mexico that Oracle is building that’s run into setbacks. — Ellen Dimauro, semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026 More news California test scores have crept up, but still fail to offset the pandemic setbacks six years later. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 The setbacks just keep coming for Will Zalatoris, who is expected to miss the entirety of the 2027 PGA Tour season. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Although its foundry business has been struggling with delays and setbacks for years, Hutcheson says all the big chipmakers are now testing there. — Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026 Even major battlefield setbacks may not push the group towards compromise if its leadership believes any concessions should be part of a broader regional bargain. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026 On Monday, Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman confirmed that the negotiations had encountered some major setbacks. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 5 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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Style

“Setbacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setbacks. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of setbacks

noun

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