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
Arsenal’s early breakthrough by Ethan Nwaneri stemmed from left-back Pervis Estupinan being exposed, while Bart Verbruggen should also have saved the 17-year-old’s shot.
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Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Maybe that side of you needs proper down time to usher in a creative breakthrough.
—Michael Alcee, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2025
The breakthrough, described in a New England Journal of Medicine paper and presented at a conference in mid-December, is called blinatumomab, an immunotherapy drug delivered to patients over a 28-day IV drip.
—Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 21 Dec. 2024
Prime Target follows Woodall’s Edward Brooks, a math genius (hence the reference to prime numbers) on the brink of a major breakthrough who senses someone may be trying to thwart his discovery.
—Lucy Ford, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for breakthrough 
Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Maybe that side of you needs proper down time to usher in a creative breakthrough.
—Michael Alcee, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2025
The breakthrough, described in a New England Journal of Medicine paper and presented at a conference in mid-December, is called blinatumomab, an immunotherapy drug delivered to patients over a 28-day IV drip.
—Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 21 Dec. 2024
Prime Target follows Woodall’s Edward Brooks, a math genius (hence the reference to prime numbers) on the brink of a major breakthrough who senses someone may be trying to thwart his discovery.
—Lucy Ford, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for breakthrough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breakthrough
Noun
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In fact, in a small 2023 study, published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology, adults with spinal cord injury who completed 12 weeks of upper-body ergometer rowing saw improvements in their cardio fitness.Christa Sgobba, SELF, 3 Jan. 2025
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For example, a company might implement an AI system to improve customer service without setting specific targets for improvement.Jo Debecker, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Tom also asked for Zendaya’s parents’ blessing well in advance.Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 7 Jan. 2025
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Popular on Variety Critics were shown all 10 episodes of Season 2 in advance, though we’re forbidden from revealing much of what happens in them.Alison Herman, Variety, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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But before these advancements could come to be, scientists first needed to learn something about biology.Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024
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New advancements in technology have enabled more people to express their passions across more mediums and in more affordable ways.Bill Connolly, Rolling Stone, 30 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Breakthrough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breakthrough. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.
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