as in reversals
a change in status for the worse usually temporarily
the colonists persevered despite suffering setbacks that would have discouraged lesser souls
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Recent Examples of setbacks
Occasional setbacks are part of the process—stay consistent and calm, and your dog will learn.
—
Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
The city of Hastings has established registration and zoning requirements for retail cannabis sales, including setbacks from parks, schools and treatment facilities, said John Hinzman, community development director.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
Financing setbacks such as loan defaults, foreclosures and a plunge in property values have begun to haunt a growing number of hotels in the Bay Area.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
This was Liverpool in urgent need of a lift after a series of setbacks and a manager looking elsewhere for solutions rather than backing the club’s long-serving match-winner to deliver.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Barring any setbacks he should be fully recovered in time for spring training and will be a strong candidate to start the season in the WooSox rotation.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
His path to leadership wasn’t without setbacks.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
But the project has been fraught with setbacks.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025
Opening our doors also means engaging with the public through patient education, community health forums, and transparency about successes and setbacks.
—Prof. Dr. Med. Mazda Farshad, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
The city of Hastings has established registration and zoning requirements for retail cannabis sales, including setbacks from parks, schools and treatment facilities, said John Hinzman, community development director.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
Financing setbacks such as loan defaults, foreclosures and a plunge in property values have begun to haunt a growing number of hotels in the Bay Area.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
This was Liverpool in urgent need of a lift after a series of setbacks and a manager looking elsewhere for solutions rather than backing the club’s long-serving match-winner to deliver.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Barring any setbacks he should be fully recovered in time for spring training and will be a strong candidate to start the season in the WooSox rotation.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
His path to leadership wasn’t without setbacks.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
But the project has been fraught with setbacks.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025
Opening our doors also means engaging with the public through patient education, community health forums, and transparency about successes and setbacks.
—Prof. Dr. Med. Mazda Farshad, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setbacks
Noun
-
Scientists have a clear understanding of when these reversals have occurred over time.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
-
In fact, every apparent breakdown has turned into a bear trap, sparking powerful reversals in the opposite direction.—
Frank Cappelleri,
CNBC,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Most of those came on reverses or other wide runs.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Setbacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setbacks. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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