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View synonyms for setback

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.


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Word History and Origins

Origin of setback1

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

Now to see whether ViacomCBS is able to avoid the setbacks that have waylaid NBCUniversal’s Peacock and WarnerMedia’s HBO Max.

From Digiday

To prevent another unpleasant and surprising setback, the commission also called for a whistleblower system.

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.

From 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.

From Fortune

Despite such setbacks, cryptocurrency veterans believe yield farming and DeFi are part of a massive and permanent expansion of their industry.

From Fortune

This is hardly the “setback for gay marriage” that some enthusiastic headline-writers have proclaimed.

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.

Each new setback, whether contrived or not, makes Jarvis newly “determined not to give the cameras the reaction they craved.”

Seneca encouraged followers to possess the strength of immunity to setback, but never withheld his human touch.

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.

Some Manchurian walnuts also got a setback with spring frosts, and some did not.

He polled less than a third of the votes, and Sinn Fein received a serious setback.

"Look at her mouth—made for passion—and the very setback of her throat—" He threw his head back in Clara's defiant manner.

There is usually a setback in the wall at the floor level, but this practice was not followed in all the rooms.

The lawyer quickly returned, having received another setback.

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set at restset back on one's heels