setback

A problem or bad event that delays progress or makes success harder.

• The team suffered a setback.
• Her injury was a setback to her recovery.
• We continued despite several unexpected setbacks.

How to use it: a setback to/for something (The delay was a setback for the project.)

Similar words: reverse, blow, obstacle

Opposites: advance

Common phrases: a major setback, suffer a setback, setback for someone

The minimum distance that rules require between a building and a road.

• The required setback is five meters.
• Our building plan meets the road setback rule.
• The council increased the minimum setback for new houses.

Common phrases: minimum setback, required setback, road setback

A step in a wall where the section above is farther back than the section below.

• The tower has three setbacks.
• A setback creates space for a terrace.
• Each upper floor sits behind the setback below.

Similar words: stepback

Common phrases: a stepped setback, upper setback, wall setback