SETTING BACK Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

setting back

verb

present participle of set back

as in holding back

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for setting back

Verb

In 2023, thawing permafrost led to a rock collapse into South Lhonak Lake in Sikkim, India, generating a wave that burst through the moraine holding back the glacial lake.

— Umesh Haritashya, The Conversation, 29 Aug. 2026
Iris Skrami, chief executive officer of Renoon, said many companies are still holding back on their DPP work.

— Evan Clark, Footwear News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of holding back

Verb

Analysts also underscored that all cylinders of the Indian economy were firing, with high-frequency indicators showing that consumption and investment in the country were holding up.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
The Bay Area buying spree is the clearest manifestation of a nationwide trend of sales of upper-end properties largely holding up better than sales of less expensive homes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of holding up

Verb

What remains of the rock by this stage shrinks rapidly, also slowing significantly, with this slowdown occurring faster if the rock has fragmented more successfully.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Using a largely obscure real estate company, the church has been quickly expanding its holdings in numerous states and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.

— Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of slowing

Verb

There are more than 300 such foundations across the country, holding over $40 billion in assets, according to Grantmakers In Health (paywall).

— Laura MacDonald, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Landa worked with the Association to get the original project approved in 2017 after holding over 30 public meetings.

— Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026

Definition of holding over

Verb

One day, her teen-age daughter, on the way to choir practice, witnessed ICE detaining someone outside her bus; Bre sent her children to stay with relatives in the suburbs.

— Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
According to witnesses of the raid, local police and Canyon County sheriff’s deputies assisted ICE agents by zip-tying children and detaining people without asking about their immigration status.

— Rachel Spacek, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of detaining

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setting at

setting back

setting by

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“Setting back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setting%20back. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of setting back

verb

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