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.

See Examples For:

setbacks

The 24-year-old has overcome her share of setbacks to achieve a historic haul of four European gold medals in a sensational seven days on home soil.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

When there are unknowns about how an industry will metabolize certain technological changes, they want to hire someone who bounces back from mistakes and takes setbacks in stride.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026

Those setbacks have increased interest in treatments that can act more precisely.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 7, 2026

Amid the setbacks, Wang’s dad stepped in as a contractor and Wang’s mom volunteered to serve as construction liaison.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026

I would later learn how to shake off these kind of setbacks in competition and get my head back in the game.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles