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
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Recent Examples of breakthrough
Possible breakthrough to allow aid, farm shipments Iran agreed to allow humanitarian aid and agricultural shipments through the Strait of Hormuz following a request from the United Nations.
—
Azhar Sukri, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026
Negotiations in the Senate are ongoing, but Republicans and Democrats have yet to reach a breakthrough and have rejected the other party’s proposals.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
The breakthrough opens the door to new possibilities for the study of the elusive material.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
In my field of particle physics, scientific breakthroughs are often measured in decades, as opposed to years.
—Mariangela Lisanti, Twin Cities, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for breakthrough
Azhar Sukri, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026
Negotiations in the Senate are ongoing, but Republicans and Democrats have yet to reach a breakthrough and have rejected the other party’s proposals.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
The breakthrough opens the door to new possibilities for the study of the elusive material.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
In my field of particle physics, scientific breakthroughs are often measured in decades, as opposed to years.
—Mariangela Lisanti, Twin Cities, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for breakthrough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breakthrough
Noun
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Kansas has not been a program built on turning over its roster every season but rather generating improvement from those already on it — and then trying to find ways to fill in the gaps when necessary.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
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After the plan is shared, the Citizens Bond Advisory Committee will bring recommendations to the school board for a bond election for capital improvements.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The department did not advertise the event in advance, hoping the surprise would benefit people who genuinely needed the help, police said.—
Briseida Holguin,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
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Ukraine has developed advance drone technology to counter Russian barrages and is offering to help Gulf countries block Iranian drone attacks.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Plus, uncertainty – the biggest domino of them all – had the potential to recede as companies gained greater clarity on the economy, borrowing costs, tariffs and other federal policies, technological advancements, and geopolitical developments.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
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The recent increase in reports may also be linked to advancements in technology and widespread camera use, prompting the question of whether these tools are amplifying the apparent surge.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breakthrough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breakthrough. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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