setback

Plural: setbacks

Noun

• A reversal or check in progress; a defeat or hindrance.
• an unfortunate happening that hinders or impedes; something that is thwarting or frustrating
• An obstacle, delay, disadvantage, or blow (an adverse event which slows down, or prevents progress towards a desired outcome).
• Any adverse event, defeat, or impediment of progress.
• The required distance between a structure and a road.
• A step-like recession in a wall.
• An offset to the temperature setting of a thermostat to cover a period when more or less heating is required than usual.
• A backset; a countercurrent; an eddy.
• A backset; a check; a repulse; a relapse.

Examples

• After some initial setbacks, the expedition went safely on its way.
• Getting blocked on a crucial double-letter square was a major setback.
• Setbacks were initially used for structural reasons, but now are often mandated by land use codes.

Synonyms

black eye, blow, reversal, reverse, stepback