noun

setback

SEHT-bak

noun

A problem or delay that slows down or reverses progress.

"Losing the contract was a major setback for the company."

"His injury was a temporary setback in his training."

How to Use Setback

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething that gets in the way of progress or causes a delay.

Common pairings

minor setback suffer a setback a setback for

setbacks plural

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Losing the contract was a major _____ for the company.

Formed from the phrase "set back," describing something that pushes progress backward.