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
Hackney’s first-team breakthrough at Middlesbrough came after the appointment of now-Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick in October 2022, becoming a fixture of the starting lineup under the Englishman.
—
David Ornstein, New York Times, 5 June 2026
But the breakthrough run ended one step short of UCLA’s third national title and first since 2008.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2026
The biggest breakthroughs came during a 2023 expedition supported by a National Geographic grant awarded to Hesham Sallam.
—Sanaa El-Sayed, The Conversation, 4 June 2026
Medical breakthroughs are not the pinnacle of progress.
—Tomas J. Philipson, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for breakthrough
David Ornstein, New York Times, 5 June 2026
But the breakthrough run ended one step short of UCLA’s third national title and first since 2008.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2026
The biggest breakthroughs came during a 2023 expedition supported by a National Geographic grant awarded to Hesham Sallam.
—Sanaa El-Sayed, The Conversation, 4 June 2026
Medical breakthroughs are not the pinnacle of progress.
—Tomas J. Philipson, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for breakthrough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breakthrough
Noun
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The funding will also help pay for the replacement of a large drainage culvert near Sierra College Boulevard on English Colony Way at Clover Valley Creek, along with the construction of a new bridge and roadway improvements on Garden Bar Road at Doty Ravine.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
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If improvements are not made, officials were told, vessels calling on Haiti’s ports would need to adopt enhanced security protocols as outlined by the code.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2026
Noun
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So far, this reads like just another incremental advance in the usual process of medical research.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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The staff will stock the rooms in advance with toys or gear appropriate for their age.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
Noun
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But that was before the digital era; before AI really became an advancement.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
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Startups in China have the advantage of massive state support, in line with the ruling Communist Party’s 2026-2030 five-year plan targeting the frontiers of technology, including advancements of humanoid robots.—
Chan Ho-Him,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breakthrough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breakthrough. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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