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
The investigation reached a breakthrough in 2021 when local and state investigators linked Mullen to DNA evidence from the crime.
—
Cameron MacDonald, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
That success forces rival companies to pursue their own breakthroughs and climb up to higher rungs — or get left behind.
—David J. Kappos, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
Time and again over the past 50 years, a new treatment has been celebrated as a breakthrough, only to reveal itself as potentially harmful down the road.
—Thomas Goetz, STAT, 8 Jan. 2026
By regrouping now, the opposition could force Rodríguez into political concessions—perhaps not unlike the ones that allowed Venezuela its democratic breakthrough in 1958.
—Michael Albertus, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for breakthrough
Cameron MacDonald, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
That success forces rival companies to pursue their own breakthroughs and climb up to higher rungs — or get left behind.
—David J. Kappos, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
Time and again over the past 50 years, a new treatment has been celebrated as a breakthrough, only to reveal itself as potentially harmful down the road.
—Thomas Goetz, STAT, 8 Jan. 2026
By regrouping now, the opposition could force Rodríguez into political concessions—perhaps not unlike the ones that allowed Venezuela its democratic breakthrough in 1958.
—Michael Albertus, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for breakthrough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breakthrough
Noun
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Rheinmetall revealed that the technology will reduce the production costs of green hydrogen through lower investment in the overall system, accompanied by a doubling of power density or an improvement in efficiency of over 10%.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Jan. 2026
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But Benet President Bill Myers and Athletic Director Scott Lawler say the improvements are long overdue, noting the current stadium was built in 1961, preceding the houses that would come later.—
Steve Metsch,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Braddy’s motive, investigators say, was that he was spurned by Shandelle, who had repeatedly rejected his advances.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
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The Monday briefing was the first opportunity for top party leaders, along with members from key committees in Congress, to question administration officials about a mission for which they were given no advance warning.—
Claudia Grisales,
NPR,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
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The massive margin of victory sets Minnesota (5-4) up well for NBA Cup advancement.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Breakthrough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breakthrough. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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