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
Vikram Joshi, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
The labor standoff — the first strike by Boeing machinists since an eight-week walkout in 2008 — is the latest setback in a volatile year for the company.
—David Koenig, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024
Lucy Handley, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2024
Clocks in most parts of the country will be set back by an hour.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for setback 
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Noun
Keep your long-term vision in mind, and don't be discouraged by short-term setbacks.
—Vikram Joshi, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
The labor standoff — the first strike by Boeing machinists since an eight-week walkout in 2008 — is the latest setback in a volatile year for the company.
—David Koenig, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
My hotel is a low-rise resort set back from the shore, with paths marked through the sand dunes to prevent damage — and its beach never felt crowded.
—Lucy Handley, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2024
Clocks in most parts of the country will be set back by an hour.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for setback
Dictionary Entries Near setback
Cite this Entry
“Setback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/setback. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
setback
noun
set·back
ˈset-ˌbak 
: a slowing of progress : a temporary defeat
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