Meaning & use
Setback
Last updated
An event that delays or hinders progress; a reversal of achievement.
See it in a sentence
The injury was a major setback in her training for the Olympics.
Despite the setback, the project stayed roughly on schedule.
A note on using this word
In urban planning, 'setback' also refers to the required distance a building must be positioned from a property line.
Words with a similar meaning
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Words with an opposite meaning
breakthroughadvance
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