setback

USAGE SUMMARY

'setback' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when referring to a hindrance or a temporary delay in progress. For example: "The team was disappointed by the setback, but they remained determined to continue towards their goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The player himself, however, seemed utterly convinced that he would return from this latest setback soon enough, saying: "My career is not over.

The Guardian - Sport

"How good are we when we maybe get another setback?

The Guardian - Sport

We cannot know yet the exact nature of his indisposition; his sudden departure suggests a serious setback.

The Guardian - Sport

While he is the firm favourite of the bookies, Murphy suffered a setback within minutes of delivering his speech yesterday when Scotland's biggest union, Unison, came out in favour of the leftwing Findlay, and the second biggest, Unite, said Murphy had to do far more to win its endorsement.

The Guardian

At the very least, the judgment is a political setback for Republicans nationally, who are having to divert funds and resources they to defend what should be safe, conservative territory.

The Guardian

The DfE reportedly views the setback as a mere technicality that will be put right by the forthcoming education bill.

The Guardian

Liberals in Washington welcomed Summers' shock departure from the race, which is the latest congressional setback for an Obama administration that is rapidly losing support even from its own party.

The Guardian - Business

Thiago Silva and David Luiz had scored the goals to set up a semi-final against Germany in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday, but Neymar's injury represents a grievous setback given his importance to the team and the absence of a ready-made replacement.

The Guardian - Sport

One setback, however, is that with both parents working again, a brief and enjoyable spell of walking the mile-and-a-bit to primary school has reverted to lifts in the car.

The Guardian

While the party did not make its own complaint about the programme - called Ukip: the first 100 days - the news that it has been cleared by Ofcom represents another setback at what is already a difficult time.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, Malaysia's ruling party held a first round of meetings to determine whether to keep the prime minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, as head of the party after the March electoral setback.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "setback" when referring to a temporary delay or obstacle that does not necessarily halt progress entirely. Consider using stronger terms like "failure" or "collapse" if the situation is more severe.

Common error

Avoid using "setback" interchangeably with "failure". A "setback" is a temporary obstacle, while a "failure" indicates a complete lack of success. Understand the degree of impediment before choosing your term.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "setback" is as a noun. It refers to an obstacle, delay, or disadvantage, often temporary, that impedes progress. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "setback" is a common noun used to describe a temporary obstacle or delay. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, especially in news and sports reporting. When using "setback", ensure it accurately reflects a temporary hindrance rather than a complete failure, and consider contextually appropriate synonyms like "reversal" or "drawback" for variety. Remember to avoid confusion with the verb phrase "set back", which has a different meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reverse

This is a more concise synonym indicating a change in direction or a step backwards.

drawback

This term indicates a disadvantage or negative aspect that hinders overall progress.

temporary impediment

This highlights the temporary nature of the obstacle, suggesting it is not a permanent barrier.

complication

This suggests an added difficulty that makes a situation more complex and challenging.

reversal of fortune

This alternative suggests a change in circumstances from positive to negative, often implying a significant impact.

negative development

This is a broad term encompassing any unfavorable event that impedes progress.

hiccup in progress

This phrase indicates a minor and often unexpected disruption to an ongoing process.

stumbling block

This metaphor indicates an obstacle that causes one to hesitate or falter.

temporary regression

This suggests a return to a previous, less advanced state, implying a need to regain lost ground.

mishap

This implies a minor accident or unfortunate event that causes a delay or inconvenience.

FAQs

How can I use "setback" in a sentence?

You can use "setback" to describe a temporary delay or obstacle in progress, as in, "The project experienced a minor "setback" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What can I say instead of "setback"?

You can use alternatives like "reversal", "drawback", or "impediment" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "setback" or "set back"?

"Setback" is a noun referring to a delay or obstacle. "Set back" is a verb phrase meaning to delay or impede, for example "The rain "set back" the construction schedule."

What's the difference between "setback" and "relapse"?

While both terms indicate a negative turn, "setback" generally refers to a hindrance in progress, whereas "relapse" specifically refers to a return to a previous, typically negative, state, such as an illness or addiction.