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
Are there any breakthroughs in fossil energy that could counteract progress in clean tech?
—
Umair Irfan, Vox, 23 Apr. 2025
The White House wants to make another attempt this week to bring about a breakthrough in negotiations, but Netanyahu has been reluctant to agree to anything beyond an interim deal that does not end the war.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2025
As the 40th anniversary of his big screen breakthrough approaches this fall, Besson is rolling out ultra-low budget romance June & John.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2025
Sammie’s performance feels like a breakthrough between Coogler and his longtime musical cohort Ludwig Göransson, who’s been a presence in each of the director’s films since Fruitvale Station.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for breakthrough
Umair Irfan, Vox, 23 Apr. 2025
The White House wants to make another attempt this week to bring about a breakthrough in negotiations, but Netanyahu has been reluctant to agree to anything beyond an interim deal that does not end the war.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2025
As the 40th anniversary of his big screen breakthrough approaches this fall, Besson is rolling out ultra-low budget romance June & John.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2025
Sammie’s performance feels like a breakthrough between Coogler and his longtime musical cohort Ludwig Göransson, who’s been a presence in each of the director’s films since Fruitvale Station.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for breakthrough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breakthrough
Noun
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That’s an improvement from June, when the rate of annual inspections conducted within 16 months was just 21.2%, according to the department’s testimony.—
Danielle J. Brown,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Apr. 2025
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Iowa ranked 72nd in scoring and 117th in total offense under new coordinator Tim Lester last season, an improvement over the previous two years when the Hawkeyes were at or near the bottom of the FBS rankings in both categories.—
John Bohnenkamp,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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There is no sign outside Hurdle’s San Diego salon, but despite the low profile, her Instagram page warns that she’s usually booked months in advance.—
Lindsy Van Gelder,
Allure,
25 Apr. 2025
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While cancellation options are available in advance of the other three periods—broadly speaking, advertisers may back out of between 25% and 50% of their Q1, Q2 and Q3 upfront allocations—the ontological status of fall buys is a lot less equivocal.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In fact, researchers have theorized that fusion could generate nearly limitless amounts of safe and clean energy on Earth, but the scientific advancements that could make this possible on a large scale are still decades away.—
Margherita Bassi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
18 Apr. 2025
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The announcement marks the first advancement toward a full agreement that was thrown into jeopardy by rounds of tense talks and Zelensky's disastrous White House visit in February.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Breakthrough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breakthrough. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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