BREAKTHROUGH Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

breakthrough

noun

ˈbrāk-ˌthrü

as in improvement

an instance of notable progress in the development of knowledge, technology, or skill Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin was one of medicine's great breakthroughs, for penicillin became the first antibiotic to successfully combat bacterial infections in humans

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of breakthrough The breakthrough has already demonstrated its ability to improve body armor. —

Michael Franco, New Atlas, 17 Jan. 2025 One of Arquette's peers, Naomi Watts, whose breakthrough was her part in 2001's Mulholland Drive, shared her reaction to Lynch's death on social media. —

Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 17 Jan. 2025 The agreement, however, was a major breakthrough after months of roller-coaster talks that often appeared to inch close to resolution, only to fall apart. —

Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025 This analysis of an innovative AI breakthrough is part of my ongoing Forbes column coverage on the latest in AI including identifying and explaining various impactful AI complexities (see the link here). —

Lance Eliot, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for breakthrough

Recent Examples of Synonyms for breakthrough

Noun

In the first two days of his tenure, Johnson also discussed with Williams areas of improvement.

— Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025
Wines and spirits recorded an 8 percent decline, but other sectors saw improvements, with watches and jewelry up 3 percent and selective retailing rising 7 percent during the key holiday period.

— Joelle Diderich, WWD, 28 Jan. 2025