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1. An unfortunate happening that hinders or impedes; something that is thwarting or frustrating
   - reverse, reversal, blow, black eye

1. Hold back to a later time
   "let's set back the exam";
   - postpone, prorogue, hold over, put over, table [N. Amer], shelve, defer, remit, put off
    
2. Slow down the progress of; hinder
    
3. Cost a certain amount
   - knock back, put back

1. Structure where a wall or building narrows abruptly
   - setoff, offset

Derived forms: set back, setbacks, setting back, sets back, set-backs

See also: lay

Type of: be, construction, cost, delay, entrammel [literary], fetter [literary], happening, hinder, impede, natural event, occurrence, occurrent, structure, trammel [literary]

Encyclopedia: Setback