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Fallback vs Setback - What's the difference?

fallback | setback |

As nouns the difference between fallback and setback

is that fallback is an act of falling back while setback is an obstacle, delay, or disadvantage.

As an adjective fallback

is that can be resorted to as a fallback.

fallback

English

Alternative forms

* fall-back

Noun

(en noun)
  • An act of falling back.
  • A backup plan or contingency strategy; an alternative which can be used if something goes wrong with the main plan; a recourse.
  • As a fallback, I suppose we can use typewriters if the word processing system fails.
  • (construction) A reduction in bitumen softening point, sometimes called refluxing or overheating in a relatively closed container.
  • Synonyms

    * (act of falling back) ebbing, recession, retreat * (backup plan) back-up/backup, plan B, recourse

    Derived terms

    * automatic fallback * modulation fallback

    Adjective

    (-)
  • That can be resorted to as a fallback.
  • a fallback plan

    Synonyms

    * alternate/alternative, back-up/backup, secondary

    Derived terms

    * fallback font

    setback

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An obstacle, delay, or disadvantage.
  • After some initial setbacks , the expedition went safely on its way.
  • (US) The required distance between a structure and a road.
  • (architecture) A step-like recession in a wall.
  • Setbacks were initially used for structural reasons, but now are often mandated by land use codes.
  • (possibly archaic) A backset; a countercurrent; an eddy.
  • A backset; a check; a repulse; a relapse.
  • Anagrams

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