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Setback

/ˈsɛtbæk/

An obstacle, delay, disadvantage, blow (an adverse event which retards or prevents progress towards a desired outcome)

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📖 Definitions of "Setback"

noun

1
An obstacle, delay, disadvantage, blow (an adverse event which retards or prevents progress towards a desired outcome)
"After some initial setbacks, the expedition went safely on its way."
2
The required distance between a structure and a road.
3
A step-like recession in a wall.
"Setbacks were initially used for structural reasons, but now are often mandated by land use codes."
4
An offset to the temperature setting of a thermostat to cover a period when more or less heating is required than usual.

🔄 Synonyms of "Setback"

3 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
reversenoun	Opposite, contrary; going in the opposite direction.
reversalnoun	A change in fortune; a change from being successful to having problems.
blownoun	(intransitive) To produce an air current.

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Setback"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
reversenoun	The opposite of something.
reversalnoun	A change in fortune; a change from being successful to having problems.
blownoun	A strong wind.
hindrancenoun	Something which hinders: something that holds back or causes problems with something else.
impedimentnoun	A hindrance; that which impedes or obstructs progress; impedance.
obstaclenoun	Something that impedes, stands in the way of, or holds up progress, either physically or figuratively
slowdownnoun	A reduction in speed, or a decrease in the level of production, economic activity, etc.
slowingnoun	A deceleration; a slowing down.
breakdownnoun	(countable) A failure, particularly one which is mechanical in nature.
lossnoun	(countable) The result of no longer possessing an object, a function, or a characteristic due to external causes or misplacement.
downturnnoun	A downward trend, or the beginnings of one.
decreasenoun	An amount by which a quantity decreases or is decreased.
debaclenoun	(figurative) An event or enterprise that ends suddenly and disastrously, often with humiliating consequences.
fallnoun	The act of moving to a lower position under the effect of gravity.
contractionnoun	(orthography) In the English language: a shortened form of a word, often with omitted letters replaced by an apostrophe or a diacritical mark.
delaynoun	A period of time before an event occurs; the act of delaying; procrastination; lingering inactivity.
declinenoun	The act of declining or refusing something.
shrinkagenoun	The act of shrinking, or the proportion by which something shrinks.
collapsenoun	The act of collapsing.
retrenchmentnoun	A curtailment or reduction.