setback — a reversal or defeat in progress or a problem that delays or prevents progress
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a reversal or defeat in progress or a problem that delays or prevents progress
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈsetbæk/
Example Sentences
- His dating life suffered a major setback when his mom started managing his Tinder account.
- The company faced a setback when their AI chatbot started giving relationship advice to customers buying hardware.
- Despite several setbacks, she never gave up on her dream of becoming a doctor.
setback
NOUN[/ˈsetbæk/]
a reversal or defeat in progress or a problem that delays or prevents progress
The project faced a major setback after the bridge collapsed.
The unexpected problem pushed the team's progress back. (⚙️ Set + ⬅️ Back → Setback)
After the setback, they stepped back, made a new plan, and got back on track.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
A compound word formed in English from 'set' and 'back', both of Germanic origin. The term combines the verb 'set' with the directional adverb 'back' to create a noun describing something that has been pushed back or reversed.
Breakdown
set (place, establish) + back (reverse direction, backward) = setback (reversal of progress)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“His dating life suffered a major setback when his mom started managing his Tinder account.”
“The company faced a setback when their AI chatbot started giving relationship advice to customers buying hardware.”
“Despite several setbacks, she never gave up on her dream of becoming a doctor.”
“The project timeline experienced a significant setback due to technical difficulties.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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