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
And in late 2019, fast-money traders powered stocks to records after a breakthrough in trade talks between Washington and Beijing.
—
Jessica Menton, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2025
With more troops and firepower, Russia is making incremental gains at a high cost, but has not achieved any major breakthroughs.
—Greg Myre, NPR, 9 Aug. 2025
Both leaders said the breakthrough was made possible by Trump and his team.
—Arkansas Online, 9 Aug. 2025
That level of human understanding is where breakthrough creative and innovative experiences come from.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for breakthrough
Jessica Menton, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2025
With more troops and firepower, Russia is making incremental gains at a high cost, but has not achieved any major breakthroughs.
—Greg Myre, NPR, 9 Aug. 2025
Both leaders said the breakthrough was made possible by Trump and his team.
—Arkansas Online, 9 Aug. 2025
That level of human understanding is where breakthrough creative and innovative experiences come from.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for breakthrough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breakthrough
Noun
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In all, the funding requested by members of the state's House delegation covered 49 projects across Wisconsin, touching on everything from housing in Milwaukee to a freight infrastructure project in Monroe County to improvements to Green Bay's airport.—
Lawrence Andrea,
jsonline.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Her dedication to producing tangible improvements in the realm of social justice is evidenced by her previous positions, most recently as the director of the center for social justice at the Urban League of Southwestern Ohio.—
Grace Tucker,
The Enquirer,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Preparation for the fair begins a year in advance and is a labor of love, Gahan said.—
Mia Thurow,
jsonline.com,
9 Aug. 2025
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Fire crews are battling the blaze with over 2,200 personnel, using helicopters, air tankers, and ground teams to slow its advance through steep, inaccessible terrain.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In a market grappling with shrinking margins and mounting energy scrutiny, the launch underscores that the sector’s next significant advancements may be forged in the open.—
Becca Bratcher,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
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Seema gave thanks for the advancements made in gluten free baked goods, showing a strong willingness to adjust her expectations for pies and relationships in equal measure.—
Sandra Gonzalez,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Breakthrough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breakthrough. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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