setback

/ˌsɛtˈbæk/

/ˈsɛtbæk/

Other forms: setbacks

A setback is an event that makes you lose progress or keeps you from gaining ground. If you're knitting a sweater, dropping a bunch of stitches would be a big setback.

If warring countries are negotiating a treaty, a sudden resurgence of fighting would be a huge setback for their peace plan. And if you're trying to finish baking in time for you friend's birthday party, knocking the frosted cake onto the floor would also be a setback. Setbacks are always frustrating — unless you're talking about the kind of setback that's defined as "a building's distance from the street."

Definitions of setback

1. noun

   an unfortunate happening that hinders or impedes; something that is thwarting or frustrating
   synonyms: black eye, blow, reversal, reverse

   types:

   whammy

   a serious or devastating setback

   hiccup

   a minor or temporary error or setback

   type of:

   happening, natural event, occurrence, occurrent

   an event that happens