WordGarden.iosetback
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /sˈɛtbæk/
US
- /ˈsɛtˌbæk/
Meanings
Noun
a problem, delay, or reversal that slows progress
the distance by which a building is recessed from a street, property line, or lower facade
Beyond the definition
Life rarely goes exactly as planned. Sometimes you face a setback - an unexpected problem that slows your progress or pushes you backward for a while. Think of a runner in a race tripping over a hurdle; that is a setback. It does not necessarily mean failure, just a temporary difficulty. A student might face a setback after failing a test, but they can study harder and do better next time. These problems are common in sports, business, and personal life - what matters most is how you respond to them.
A setback is an unexpected problem, delay, or difficulty that slows progress or causes a temporary reversal. It usually appears when someone is working toward a goal and suddenly faces something that interrupts the plan. It is more than a small inconvenience; it suggests a real problem that forces a person, team, or company to adjust.
The idea behind the word is simple: you were moving forward, and now something has pushed you back. That is why it is often used in stories about effort, recovery, and long-term goals.
These difficulties can range from small to serious. A small setback might be a delayed shipment for a project. A bigger one could be losing funding for a business, getting injured before a competition, or becoming ill while working toward an important goal.
You often hear setback in news reports, business updates, sports stories, and personal accounts of struggle or recovery. A company may suffer a setback after a product recall. A student may face one after failing an exam. An athlete may experience one after an injury. In each case, the meaning is the same: progress has been interrupted, but the final result is not decided yet. The word often carries a tone of challenge mixed with hope, because a setback is usually temporary and can be overcome.
Examples
- 1
Travel plans
The road closure was a setback for our travel plans.
- 2
Recovery
Her knee injury was a major setback in her recovery.
- 3
Business
The company suffered a serious financial setback when its biggest customer left.
- 4
Startup problems
Every new business faces a few setbacks at the beginning.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Peace talks
The peace talks hit another setback after both sides refused to compromise.
- 6
Project delay
It was only a temporary setback, not the end of the project.
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- setbacknoun
Forms
- setbackspluralnoun