setbacks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "setbacks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to obstacles or difficulties that hinder progress or success in various contexts, such as personal goals, projects, or business ventures. Example: "Despite facing several setbacks during the project, the team remained determined to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A steady practice that leaves you a bit better equipped to pause before lashing out, to rise above perceived slights and not be put off by the usual setbacks.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The outcry helped prompt the city's first comprehensive zoning law requiring tall buildings to have "setbacks" at higher floors.

The Guardian

"Growing up in the Jewish faith … you learn a lot about individual setbacks.

The Guardian

"There will be good days and bad days, victories and setbacks".

The Guardian

The Football Association expects a crowd of around 40,000 for the game against Norway, ranked 53 in the world and in a similar state of transition to the hosts, with captain and manager acknowledging that the fans' faith must be restored after the summer's setbacks in Manaus, São Paulo and Belo Horizonte.

The Guardian - Sport

Three hours after Slavisa Jokanovic's Watford had stretched their lead at the top of the Championship, the late setbacks for their two rivals secured promotion.

The Guardian - Sport

Wales have not qualified for a major tournament since the 1958 World Cup finals and the present side have had their fair share of setbacks during their development.

The Guardian - Sport

Asos, which had delivered three in six months, had no fresh setbacks to confess on Tuesday and the share price rebounded 14%.

The Guardian - Business

Yes, there is renewed influence for Sinn Féin in Dublin after several years of seat losses and setbacks.

The Guardian

Cameron and Obama are due to meet the Iraqi president, Haider al-Abadi, and it is expected they will discuss the continued setbacks in the fight against Isis.

The Guardian

However, there were a number of setbacks too.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In personal development contexts, frame "setbacks" as learning opportunities to encourage resilience.

Common error

Avoid using "setbacks" interchangeably with "failures". "Setbacks" imply temporary impediments, while "failures" suggest a complete lack of success. A project may experience "setbacks" but not necessarily result in total failure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "setbacks" primarily functions as a noun, referring to instances where progress is hindered or reversed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form, indicating its role in describing obstacles across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Sport

18%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "setbacks" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed noun phrase used to describe temporary hindrances or reversals in progress. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and versatility across diverse contexts, ranging from news and sports to business and academic discussions. While "setbacks" can be used interchangeably with terms like "reversals" or "difficulties", it is important not to confuse it with "failures", which indicates a complete lack of success. To effectively use "setbacks", frame them objectively, especially in project management, and consider them as learning opportunities in personal development.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reversals

Focuses on a change to an opposite direction or condition.

difficulties

Emphasizes the problematic nature of a situation.

obstacles

Highlights barriers that impede progress.

impediments

Stresses the hindering nature of something.

adversities

Conveys a sense of hardship and misfortune.

misfortunes

Focuses on bad luck or unfortunate events.

complications

Highlights the complexity and entanglement of issues.

mishaps

Refers to minor accidents or unlucky events.

tribulations

Emphasizes suffering and distress.

hardships

Highlights the difficult conditions of a situation.

FAQs

How to use "setbacks" in a sentence?

You can use "setbacks" to describe temporary hindrances in progress, such as, "Despite the initial "challenges", the project team persevered and delivered the product on time".

What can I say instead of "setbacks"?

You can use alternatives like "reversals", "difficulties", or "obstacles" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "setbacks" or "challenges"?

Both "setbacks" and ""challenges"" can describe obstacles, but "setbacks" often imply temporary delays or reversals, while "challenges" can refer to more fundamental difficulties that need to be overcome.

What is the difference between "setbacks" and "failures"?

"Setbacks" refer to temporary impediments or reversals in progress, while "failures" indicate a complete lack of success or the inability to achieve a desired outcome.