Synonyms of breakthrough

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

• improvement
• advance
• advancement
• enhancement
• development
• innovation
• discovery
• refinement
• evolution
• increase
• upturn
• upswing
• revival
• amelioration
• strengthening
• maturation
• enlightenment
• growth
• betterment
• find
• renaissance
• education
• boost
• expansion
• quantum leap
• uplift
• windfall
• gestation
• ripening
• elaboration
• civilization
• melioration
• upgrade
• perfection
• heightening
• edification
• uptrend
• renascence
• invention

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• setback
• breakdown
• collapse
• crash
• reduction
• impediment
• hindrance
• decrease
• failing
• decline
• deterioration
• stumbling block
• worsening
• lapse
• weakening
• decay
• degeneration
• sinking
• impairment
• descent
• drawback
• shortcoming
• slowing
• lessening
• decadence
• downgrade
• detriment
• glitch
• declension
• diminishment
• disablement
• flagging
• languishment
• ebbing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of breakthrough

It's also designed to be fully and rapidly reusable, a breakthrough that SpaceX believes will revolutionize spaceflight. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Bart Preneel, a cryptography professor at the Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven) in Belgium, says the consequences would depend on the scale of any breakthrough. — Chris Stokel-Walker, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2026

The scientist’s anticipation of a breakthrough builds alongside the music, giving the familiar anthem a purpose beyond showing off the singer’s voice. — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Rutley, recipient of the Christopher Reeve Emerging Talent Award, noted that the ceremony fell on his 41st birthday and offered encouragement to actors still waiting for their breakthrough. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026