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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setting back
Verb
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As multiple world powers invest heavily in Ukrainian expertise and joint production with the Ukrainian government and private companies, only the Pentagon is holding back.—
Trudy Rubin,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026 -
As each mourner spoke, some holding back tears and others sobbing, Metayer’s family watched in loving silence.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But another federal agency was apparently holding up the revision.—
Jeremy Hsu,
ArsTechnica,
28 Apr. 2026
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The photo shows Belichick, wearing a Code Black shirt and hat covered in roses, and Hudson, still sporting her cheerleading uniform, holding up three fingers for the camera.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Republicans hold a narrow lead in those gerrymandering wars, and more GOP-leaning states are now either delaying primaries or mulling calling special sessions to redraw new lines.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
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Louisiana Republicans are now delaying US House primaries just a day after the high court’s decision.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Bain walked purposefully, never slowing, never stopping — not even to size himself up in his new Bucs hat in the mirror — before striding onstage for a hug with the commissioner.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Orders for its heavy-duty natural gas turbines aren’t slowing down anytime soon as hyperscalers pour billions into data center construction.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And moviegoers turned out to indies from Rosemead to The Chronology of Water, All That’s Left Of You and more, new and holding over, limited, wide and top ten.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
11 Jan. 2026
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MicroStrategy remains the leader among corporate crypto treasuries, holding over 638,000 bitcoins valued at an astonishing $71 billion.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Israeli navy intercepted an aid flotilla with dozens of boats attempting to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza on Wednesday night into Thursday, detaining over 20 flotilla ships and 175 activists.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Apr. 2026
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And in Kansas City, a recent federal lawsuit accused authorities of unlawfully detaining dozens of people, including four Missouri and Kansas immigrants who were held in custody without bond for months.—
Sofi Zeman
April 25,
Kansas City Star,
25 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Setting back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setting%20back. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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