A setback refers to an unexpected or undesirable event or obstacle that delays or hinders progress toward a goal. It can occur in various aspects of life, including personal development, work, relationships, or projects. Setbacks often result in a temporary disruption, but they can also serve as learning experiences or opportunities for improvement. The term highlights the idea that progress is not always linear and can be interrupted by unforeseen challenges. In Indonesian, a setback might be referred to as “kemunduran”, “hambatan”, or “keterlambatan”, depending on the context of delay or difficulty.
Synonyms:
- Obstacle
- Hindrance
- Delay
- Disappointment
- Reverse
- Misfortune
- Problem
- Challenge
- Complication
- Bump in the road
Example Sentences:
- The launch of the new product was delayed due to a major setback in the manufacturing process.
- She faced a setback in her career when the promotion she was hoping for was given to someone else.
- Despite the setback in the project timeline, the team was determined to catch up and deliver on schedule.
- Losing the contract was a significant setback for the company’s growth plans.
- After a financial setback, they had to re-evaluate their budget and make some tough decisions.
- He experienced a small setback when he lost his wallet, but it didn’t stop him from enjoying the rest of his trip.
- The recent illness was a major setback, but she’s making a strong recovery.
- A setback in the negotiations caused a delay in reaching a deal, but they’re optimistic it will be resolved soon.
- The construction project faced a setback due to unexpected weather conditions.
- The team experienced a setback when their star player was injured just before the finals.
Related Words:
- Delay
- Hindrance
- Obstacle
- Difficulty
- Defeat
- Problem
- Challenge
- Disappointment
- Disruption
- Setback
- Reversal
Related Phrasal Verbs:
- Come up against (to face a challenge or obstacle)
- Get past (to overcome a setback or challenge)
- Bounce back (recover from a setback or difficulty)
- Take a hit (suffer a setback or damage)
- Hold back (to delay or prevent progress)
- Push through (to continue or make progress despite a setback)
- Pick up the pieces (recover or rebuild after a setback or failure)
- Turn things around (make positive changes after a setback)
- Get over (to recover from an obstacle or setback)
- Fall behind (to lose progress due to a setback)
Idiomatic Expressions:
- A bump in the road (a small, temporary obstacle or delay)
- Hit a snag (encounter a problem or difficulty)
- Back to square one (having to start over due to a setback)
- A hurdle to overcome (a challenge that needs to be dealt with)
- Take a step back (pause to re-evaluate or assess the situation after a setback)
- The road to success is never smooth (acknowledging that setbacks and challenges are part of the journey)
- Face the music (accept the consequences of a setback or mistake)
- Push through the pain (continue working despite setbacks or challenges)
- Fall off track (lose focus or momentum due to a setback)
- Get back on track (recover from a setback and resume progress)
A setback is an inevitable part of life, especially when working toward long-term goals. However, how one responds to setbacks—whether through perseverance, learning from mistakes, or adjusting strategies—determines how effective they will be in overcoming challenges and eventually succeeding. Setbacks might feel discouraging, but they often provide valuable opportunities for growth, adaptability, and resilience.
