[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/setback/)

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# setback

noun (a setback, setbacks)

«setback» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

Something that stops progress or makes things worse for a while; a problem that sets you back. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/setback/#m1)

### In the lessons

In stories and sport, heroes face setbacks before they win. In PSHE, learning from setbacks builds resilience. In maths problems, a setback can mean a loss: «after a setback of 3 points». Phrases: suffer a setback, a minor setback, overcome setbacks.

### Examples

- Losing the first match was a setback, but we still won the cup. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/setback/#x1)
- The rain was a setback for the builders. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/setback/#x2)
- Her injury was a big setback. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/setback/#x3)
- Don't give up after one setback. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/setback/#x4)
- The plan had a few setbacks. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/setback/#x5)
- Every setback teaches you something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/setback/#x6)

### Note

Countable; one word as a noun. Verb phrase: set back (two words): «The storm set us back a week.»

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «setback» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/setback/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«setback» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/setback.html) on Mova free.