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. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivetemporary, early, initial, … … of setbacksseries verb + setbackexperience, face, have, … prepositionsetback for, setback to See full entryExtra examples 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 Don’t be put off by any early setbacks. The breakdown in talks represents a temporary setback in the peace talks.
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