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Definition of setback noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

setback

noun
 
/ˈsetbæk/
 
/ˈsetbæk/
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  1. a difficulty or problem that delays or prevents something, or makes a situation worse
    • The team suffered a major setback when their best player was injured.
    • The breakdown in talks represents a temporary setback in the peace process.
    Extra Examples
    • Don't be put off by any early setbacks.
    • That would represent a huge setback in the fight to change our criminal justice system.
    • a further setback for the coal industry
    • a serious setback to his chances of re-election
    Topics Difficulty and failurec1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • temporary
    • early
    • initial
    • …
    … of setbacks
    • series
    verb + setback
    • experience
    • face
    • have
    • …
    preposition
    • setback for
    • setback to
    See full entry
See setback in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee setback in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: setback

Nearby words

perspective
noun
 
 
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