1
: a checking of progress
4
: a placing of a face of a building on a line some distance to the rear of the building line or of the wall below
also
: the area produced by a setback
5
: automatic scheduled adjustment to a lower temperature setting of a thermostat
6
: the distance of a structure or other feature (such as a well or septic system) from the property line or other feature
Synonyms
Examples of setback in a Sentence
Noun
Despite some early setbacks, they eventually became a successful company.
the colonists persevered despite suffering setbacks that would have discouraged lesser souls
Recent Examples on the Web
Mary Clare Jalonick, Fortune, 10 May 2024
The son of the late Loretta Lynn is back in the hospital in the latest setback in his ongoing illness.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 6 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for setback 
Noun
Failure to pass the popular bipartisan bill by May 10 would have been the latest setback after months of delays on the measure, and the last-minute deal to pass it was the most recent example of Congress struggling to pass major legislation that had broad bipartisan support.
—Mary Clare Jalonick, Fortune, 10 May 2024
The son of the late Loretta Lynn is back in the hospital in the latest setback in his ongoing illness.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 6 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for setback
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'setback.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near setback
Cite this Entry
“Setback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/setback. Accessed 14 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
setback
noun
set·back
ˈset-ˌbak 
: a slowing of progress : a temporary defeat
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share