set back v 1: hold back to a later time; "let's postpone the exam" [syn: {postpone}, {prorogue}, {hold over}, {put over}, {table}, {shelve}, {defer}, {remit}, {put off}] 2: slow down the progress of; hinder; "His late start set him back" 3: cost a certain amount; "My daughter's wedding set me back $20,000" [syn: {knock back}, {put back}]