as in improvements
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 breakthroughs
Throughout the series, Swisher tests a variety of biotech breakthroughs and wellness trends for herself (think ketamine, red light and sound therapy).
—
Erin Lassner, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2026
Like Apollo, Artemis is driving breakthroughs in space technology that help shape modern innovation.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026
Yuan pointed to past productivity breakthroughs—like Henry Ford’s assembly line, which helped reduce the workweek from six to five days.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
The breakthroughs could speed the deployment of AI in industries such as architecture, the automotive market and robotics, Dai said.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026
And that's not to mention breakthroughs that have been made concerning our overall knowledge of the moon.
—Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 7 Apr. 2026
In August 2024, De La Rosa shared another one of Zillion's breakthroughs.
—Georgia Slater, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
Musk and Altman, along with Brockman, who joined from Stripe, were convinced that there were only a few computer scientists alive capable of making the required breakthroughs.
—Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Understanding where innovation is accelerating, and how these breakthroughs will diffuse across economies and societies, will define the next chapter of global technological leadership.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Erin Lassner, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2026
Like Apollo, Artemis is driving breakthroughs in space technology that help shape modern innovation.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026
Yuan pointed to past productivity breakthroughs—like Henry Ford’s assembly line, which helped reduce the workweek from six to five days.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
The breakthroughs could speed the deployment of AI in industries such as architecture, the automotive market and robotics, Dai said.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026
And that's not to mention breakthroughs that have been made concerning our overall knowledge of the moon.
—Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 7 Apr. 2026
In August 2024, De La Rosa shared another one of Zillion's breakthroughs.
—Georgia Slater, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
Musk and Altman, along with Brockman, who joined from Stripe, were convinced that there were only a few computer scientists alive capable of making the required breakthroughs.
—Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Understanding where innovation is accelerating, and how these breakthroughs will diffuse across economies and societies, will define the next chapter of global technological leadership.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breakthroughs
Noun
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The firm managed stadium improvements for Major League Baseball’s Athletics ahead of the team’s temporary move to West Sacramento, and renovated Hughes Stadium at Sacramento City College in 2013.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
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The primary purpose of the grant program is to assist with property improvements which will enhance Oswego’s downtown business district.—
Linda Girardi,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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After the case went cold for decades, advances in DNA technology led to the case being reopened and the baby's body being exhumed in July 2019, KVLY, Valley News Live, and KX News reported.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
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Continuing advances in surgical techniques, anesthesia, pain management and patient education have also altered the TKR surgical landscape.—
Nicole Sours Larson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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More than 200 death row inmates have been exonerated since 1973, thanks to DNA analysis and other investigative advancements.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
13 Apr. 2026
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Vergata’s remains were not even officially identified until a month after Heuermann’s arrest, with investigators crediting advancements in technology for their break in the case.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breakthroughs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breakthroughs. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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