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
This could be the early echo of a breakthrough, though there will need to be extensive additional studies.
—
Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025
This could mean a financial windfall, an intense emotional breakthrough or a shift in a close relationship.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 24 June 2025
That's what the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Australia is hoping to accomplish with its latest breakthrough, the beam-down solar reactor.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 23 June 2025
Trump appears to yet hold out some hope of a breakthrough in talks with Iran.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for breakthrough
Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025
This could mean a financial windfall, an intense emotional breakthrough or a shift in a close relationship.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 24 June 2025
That's what the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Australia is hoping to accomplish with its latest breakthrough, the beam-down solar reactor.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 23 June 2025
Trump appears to yet hold out some hope of a breakthrough in talks with Iran.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for breakthrough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breakthrough
Noun
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Additional improvements in Mexico's animal movement controls and surveillance efforts remain critical for remaining ports to reopen as scheduled.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 July 2025
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For decades, there's been a steady year over year decline globally in the number of deaths of children under the age of five due to improvements in public health and reductions in poverty.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
1 July 2025
Noun
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Leaders who want to use two-way conversations as a way to catalyze growth and change within their organizations should game-plan important, strategic questions in advance. Use technology as a conversation superpower.—
Jonas Barck,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
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Boylan was followed by a number of other women who publicly shared similar stories of a governor who made inappropriate remarks and unwanted advances.—
Sudiksha Kochi,
USA Today,
24 June 2025
Noun
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The research could lead to advancements in formulating pharmaceuticals, among other applications.—
Robert Z. Pearlman,
Space.com,
28 June 2025
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These advancements can lead to better support experiences, stronger internal knowledge sharing and more responsive service.—
Marc Scheipe,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Breakthrough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breakthrough. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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