suffered a setback

USAGE SUMMARY

"suffered a setback" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you refer to a person, event, or situation that experienced difficulty or failure. For example, "After the business lost key contracts, it suffered a setback but is working hard to recover."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Netherlands, too, suffered a setback.

The Economist

Tsimerman soon suffered a setback.

The Guardian

Then in 2003, she suffered a setback.

The New York Times

On Monday the proposal suffered a setback.

The New York Times

In 1990, however, Charest's career suffered a setback.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But now Brazil's diplomacy has suffered a setback.

The Economist

But then she suffered a setback, physically and emotionally.

The New York Times

Birbalsingh's rise and rise has just suffered a setback.

The Guardian

Now that the good cop has suffered a setback, people are weighing their truncheons.

The Economist

Manager Joe Girardi also played down the notion that Pettitte had suffered a setback.

The New York Times

Then the company suffered a setback on a drug it was developing to treat Alzheimer's disease.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "suffered a setback" to describe a specific instance of a temporary failure or delay, rather than a complete collapse or permanent end.

Common error

Avoid using "suffered a setback" when describing a situation that has completely failed or ended. The phrase implies a possibility of recovery or eventual success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suffered a setback" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that a subject has experienced a delay, reversal, or problem that impedes progress. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "suffered a setback" is a widely used and grammatically sound phrase that describes experiencing a temporary delay or obstacle. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts and is generally considered to be neutral in register. While alternatives exist, such as "experienced a reversal" or "encountered a difficulty", the choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to use this phrase when the situation isn't a final failure, but rather a pause on the road to success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was set back

A passive voice alternative, emphasizing the state of being affected.

experienced a reversal

Replaces "suffered" with "experienced", emphasizing the feeling of the event.

encountered a difficulty

Substitutes "setback" with "difficulty", focusing on the problematic aspect.

faced an obstacle

Replaces "suffered a setback" with a more general term indicating a challenge.

met with a hindrance

Uses "hindrance" to describe an impediment, slightly more formal.

hit a snag

An informal way of saying a minor problem was encountered.

ran into a problem

Focuses on the accidental nature of encountering an issue.

was thwarted

Implies external forces actively prevented success.

progress was impeded

Highlights the slowing or stopping of progress.

underwent a regression

Suggests a return to a previous, less developed state.

FAQs

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

Use "suffered a setback" to describe a temporary delay or problem in progress. For instance, "The project "suffered a setback" due to unexpected budget cuts, but is expected to recover".

What are some alternatives to saying "suffered a setback"?

Alternatives include "experienced a reversal", "encountered a difficulty", or "faced an obstacle", depending on the context and desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "sustained a setback" instead of "suffered a setback"?

Yes, "sustained a setback" is a valid alternative. Both phrases convey a similar meaning of experiencing a temporary impediment or delay. They are mostly interchangeable depending on personal preferences and contexts.

What is the difference between "suffered a setback" and "suffered a failure"?

"Suffered a setback" suggests a temporary delay or obstacle, whereas "suffered a failure" implies a complete lack of success. A setback is recoverable; a failure is typically final.