setbacks

NOUN

disappointment

Synonyms

STRONGEST

blow defeat delay difficulty hindrance impediment misfortune obstacle reversal slowdown stumbling block trouble

STRONG

about-face bath bottom check comedown flip-flop hitch rebuff regress regression reverse upset

WEAK

backset drawing board hold-up reversal of fortune whole new ballgame

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance advantage aid assistance blessing contentment expedition furtherance help peace

WEAK

achievement boon boost success

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Appeared in the April 7, 2026, print edition as 'Report Cites Long Setbacks for AI-Displaced Workers'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Setbacks are common course in the history of the U.S. space program.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 20, 2025

Setbacks included a fire at its Banbury facility while one of its vans was being demonstrated in November 2022.

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2024

"Setbacks were generally not dramatic compared to 2022, instead reflecting a steady erosion that has been underway for years," the report added.

From Reuters • Jun. 27, 2023

Setbacks and even relapses into previous errors might occur, but it seemed unthinkable that the work accomplished by Las Casas and his associates, individually and collectively, could ever be undone.

From The History of Cuba, vol. 2 by Johnson, Willis Fletcher