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
Talks finally had a breakthrough a few years ago, Grams said.
—
Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
The same American scientific research enterprise that produced these breakthroughs also gave us GPS, the modern semiconductor, and the early architecture of the internet.
—David J. Skorton, STAT, 12 June 2026
The researchers exploited several unique properties of liquid metals to make their invention a real breakthrough.
—New Atlas, 12 June 2026
And when a breakthrough with the Martians does come, it’s enabled by another universal language—art—to beautiful and touching effect.
—Alexandra Oliva, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for breakthrough
Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
The same American scientific research enterprise that produced these breakthroughs also gave us GPS, the modern semiconductor, and the early architecture of the internet.
—David J. Skorton, STAT, 12 June 2026
The researchers exploited several unique properties of liquid metals to make their invention a real breakthrough.
—New Atlas, 12 June 2026
And when a breakthrough with the Martians does come, it’s enabled by another universal language—art—to beautiful and touching effect.
—Alexandra Oliva, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for breakthrough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breakthrough
Noun
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After months of community outreach and crunching new data, the city identified where the most severe crashes are happening and where safety improvements could have the biggest impact.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
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The placebo effect occurs when someone experiences symptom improvement after taking a pill or receiving a treatment with no direct medical or biological effect on the condition being treated.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
Noun
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Mexico, a co-host of the tournament alongside the United States and Canada, is aiming to reach the knockout stage of the World Cup and advance beyond the round of 16.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
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Which brings us to his case for the Hockey Hall of Fame, a topic perhaps being debated by its selection committee right now in advance of Monday’s announcement of the class of 2026.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Noun
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Meanwhile, Ukraine’s advancements in drone warfare and technology mean its military is inflicting far more casualties on Russia than earlier in the war.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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Surrounded by investment and innovation projects, the Mobile World Congress (MWC) kicks off today in Barcelona amid a context of euphoria but also tensions over artificial intelligence (AI), whose rapid advancement is shaking up the tech sector.—
Ken Silverstein,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breakthrough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breakthrough. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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