setback

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/ˈsɛtˌbæk/
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A move back from the position something might otherwise have reached.
Practice using setback in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Shares suffered another setback after the company reported weak sales.
  • A wider setback would leave less room for the house.
  • After an early setback, the project got back on schedule.
  • Does the new zoning rule change the required setback?
  • The injury was a serious setback for the team.

Similar words

reverse
obstacle
hitch
building offset
difficulty
required clearance
blow
recess

Meanings

Reversal in progress

noun
progress
neutral
An event or change that delays progress or makes a situation worse.

Examples

  • The injury was a serious setback for the team.
  • After an early setback, the project got back on schedule.
  • The ruling is a setback to efforts to protect the river.
  • Was the funding cut only a temporary setback?
  • Shares suffered another setback after the company reported weak sales.

Similar words

reverse
obstacle
blow
difficulty
hitch

Building distance or recess

noun
construction
neutral
The distance a building must stand from a boundary, or a part of a building that steps back from the part below it.

Examples

  • The plans require a ten-foot setback from the street.
  • The builder measured the rear setback before placing the garage.
  • Does the new zoning rule change the required setback?
  • A wider setback would leave less room for the house.
  • The upper floors have a visible setback from the lower facade.

Similar words

building offset
recess
required clearance

Etymology

Formed from set and back. Its sense of a reversal in progress dates from the 1600s, while the building-distance sense arose much later.

FAQ

What does setback mean?

A setback is usually something that interrupts progress. In construction, it can also be a required building distance or recess.

Is a setback always permanent?

No. A setback may be temporary, and progress can resume afterward.

Can a share price have a setback?

Yes. A fall in price can be called a setback.

What is a building setback?

It is the distance a building must keep from a boundary, or a step back in its upper part.

Is setback one word?

Yes. The noun is written setback, while the related verb is set back.

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