setback Definition
- 1a reversal or check in progress
- 2a difficulty or problem that delays or prevents something, or makes a situation worse
Using setback: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "setback" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The team suffered a major setback when their star player was injured.
Example
The project experienced several setbacks due to budget cuts.
Example
The company's profits suffered a setback this quarter.
Example
The storm caused a setback in the construction schedule.
setback Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using setback
an event or situation that causes a delay or difficulty for someone or something
Example
The loss of funding was a setback for the research project.
Example
After the initial setback, the team was able to regroup and come back stronger than ever.
a situation in which progress is slow or difficult because every time you make progress, something bad happens that causes you to lose some or all of the progress you made
Example
The project felt like one step forward, two steps back, as every time they made progress, a new setback would occur.
Phrases with setback
Example
The delay in shipping was just a minor setback for the project.
Example
The cancellation of the contract was a major setback for the company.
Example
The recession caused a significant economic setback for the country.
Origins of setback
from 'set' and 'back', meaning to move something to a less advanced or worse state
Summary: setback in Brief
The term 'setback' [ˈsɛtbæk] refers to a reversal or check in progress, often caused by difficulties or problems that delay or prevent something. It can range from minor to major, such as 'The team suffered a major setback when their star player was injured.' 'Setback' extends into phrases like 'economic setback,' and idioms like 'come back from a setback,' denoting recovery from a difficult situation.
