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
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
Mimi Whitefield, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
McIlroy responded to all of his setbacks admirably.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Philip Elliott, Time, 31 Mar. 2025
The complex is set back at Hamlin and Cortland to provide a small public plaza at the four-story building’s entrance.
—Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for setback
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Noun
Despite the legislative setback, WeCount! is continuing its advocacy work and its ¡Que Calor! campaign.
—Mimi Whitefield, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
McIlroy responded to all of his setbacks admirably.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
Madison politics has been drawing outsized attention for more than a decade now, starting with a string of union-testing efforts and a recall-palooza that set back a progressive march.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 31 Mar. 2025
The complex is set back at Hamlin and Cortland to provide a small public plaza at the four-story building’s entrance.
—Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for setback
Cite this Entry
“Setback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/setback. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
setback
noun
set·back
ˈset-ˌbak 
: a slowing of progress : a temporary defeat
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