setback

About 1.39 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. noun An obstacle, delay, disadvantage, or blow (an adverse event which slows down, or prevents progress towards a desired outcome).

   After some initial setbacks, the expedition went safely on its way.

2. noun Any adverse event, defeat, or impediment of progress.
3. noun The required distance between a structure and a road.
4. noun A step-like recession in a wall.

   Setbacks were initially used for structural reasons, but now are often mandated by land use codes.

5. noun An offset to the temperature setting of a thermostat to cover a period when more or less heating is required than usual.
6. noun A backset; a countercurrent; an eddy.
7. noun A backset; a check; a repulse; a relapse.

Similar words

reverse reversal blow hindrance impediment obstacle slowdown slowing breakdown loss

Often followed by

in for to of and when was at from

Word family

setbacks