endure a setback

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "endure a setback" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the experience of facing difficulties or challenges that hinder progress or success. Example: "After months of hard work, the team had to endure a setback when their main supplier went out of business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It can be daunting to endure a setback and participate in your healing.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Another takes place at the home of Evgeny's parents Vassily (Johnson) and Arina (Whiteford) as they endure a sad setback.

Huffington Post

Another left-of-centre Democrat tipped to run in 2016, the outgoing Maryland governor Martin O'Malley, endured a serious setback in the midterms when his designated successor – lieutenant governor Anthony Brown – was defeated in what was once seen as one of the bluest of blue states, despite the help of O'Malley's campaign team.

The Guardian

After two decades in which stocks suffered only brief and mild downturns -- interruptions in profitable years -- the depth of the bear market has shocked many investors, especially those who were not shareholders in the 1970's, the last time stocks endured a prolonged setback.

The New York Times

If Merck endures a big setback, it may find itself a loser in the next merger wave.

Forbes

If Merck endures a big setback, it could find itself on the losing end of the next merger wave.

Forbes

More dangerously, it was described as a setback for Lebanese Sunnis who now have to endure a humiliating defeat due to the Shiite hegemony over Lebanese politics.

Huffington Post

Kathryn S. Wylde, president of the Partnership for New York City, a coalition of businesses that has often aligned itself with Mr. Bloomberg, said she feared the city would suffer a setback if it endured another battle over charter schools.

The New York Times

As Brazil's football team prospered, Garcia Schlee endured a number of setbacks.

The New Yorker

Last spring he endured a series of setbacks, culminating with the resignations of nearly his entire campaign staff, a fund-raising drought and a descent into margin-of-error territory in the polls.

The New York Times

Throughout the campaign, we endured a number of setbacks, including being passed by both chambers of Congress in 1992 only to be vetoed by President George H.W. Bush.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "endure a setback", consider the emotional impact of the setback on the subject. This verb choice emphasizes the resilience required to overcome the challenge.

Common error

Avoid using "endure a setback" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using alternatives like "face a challenge" or "overcome an obstacle" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "endure a setback" functions as a verb phrase where "endure" is the verb indicating the act of tolerating or bearing something difficult, and "a setback" is the noun phrase representing an obstacle or reversal of progress. Ludwig AI confirms that this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "endure a setback" is a grammatically sound and appropriate way to describe the experience of facing a challenge or difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English. While "endure" emphasizes the act of withstanding the difficulty, it is important to consider alternative phrases like "face a challenge" or "overcome an obstacle" to avoid overuse and maintain reader engagement. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, and its neutral register makes it suitable for objective reporting. Remembering to consider the emotional impact and varying your language will improve your writing when discussing difficult situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Face a difficulty

This is a more general term that simply indicates encountering a challenging situation.

Experience a reversal

This phrase focuses on the change in fortune or progress, highlighting the negative turn of events.

Suffer a misfortune

This alternative emphasizes the negative or unfortunate nature of the event.

Come up against a barrier

This alternative emphasizes the fact of facing an element that preclude the success.

Go through a disappointment

This phrases emphasizes the feeling of discouragement or sadness that result from the problem

Meet with adversity

This phrase suggests facing challenging or unfavorable circumstances.

Cope with a reverse

This alternative highlights the ability to cope and come out stronger despite the problem.

Undergo a reverse

This alternative emphasizes the backward movement or regression caused by the event.

Brave an obstacle

This alternative emphasizes the fact of facing bravely any type of hurdle

Weather a storm

This alternative highlights the ability to cope and come out stronger despite the problem.

FAQs

How can I use "endure a setback" in a sentence?

You can use "endure a setback" to describe someone experiencing difficulties or challenges. For example, "Despite meticulous planning, the project had to "endure a setback" when the primary investor withdrew funding unexpectedly".

What are some alternatives to "endure a setback"?

Alternatives to "endure a setback" include "face a difficulty", "suffer a misfortune", or "experience a reversal".

Is it better to say "endure a setback" or "overcome a setback"?

"Endure a setback" focuses on the act of withstanding the negative impact, while "overcome a setback" focuses on successfully navigating past the difficulty. The best choice depends on which aspect you want to emphasize.

What does "endure a setback" imply about the person or entity experiencing it?

Using "endure a setback" suggests that the person or entity is facing a significant challenge that requires resilience and perseverance to overcome. It highlights the difficulty of the situation.