Synonyms of breakthroughs

breakthroughs

noun

plural of breakthrough

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• improvements
• advances
• advancements
• developments
• innovations
• refinements
• enhancements
• discoveries
• educations
• evolutions
• increases
• gestations
• ameliorations
• betterments
• enlightenments
• upswings
• upturns
• civilizations
• revivals
• maturations
• perfections
• growths
• inventions
• quantum leaps
• windfalls
• elaborations
• upgrades
• edifications
• finds
• expansions
• uplifts
• meliorations
• renaissances
• uptrends
• boosts
• renascences

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• setbacks
• breakdowns
• impediments
• crashes
• reductions
• collapses
• hindrances
• failings
• stumbling blocks
• decreases
• lapses
• shortcomings
• declines
• degenerations
• drawbacks
• impairments
• glitches
• decays
• downgrades
• deteriorations
• descents
• declensions
• detriments
• diminishments
• decadences
• languishments
• disablements

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of breakthroughs

New leads After several months with no major breakthroughs, investigators obtained phone records belonging to Shelia and Rachel. —Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 6 Mar. 2026

The discovery of new species has already fueled breakthroughs in medicine and engineering. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026

To ensure innovation breakthroughs, Chinese officials projected an annual average growth of at least 7% in nationwide spending on research and development. —ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026

Tang noted that rising AI workloads worldwide are increasing electricity demand, reinforcing the urgency of clean energy breakthroughs. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Mar. 2026

That is not to say the field has lacked breakthroughs. —IEEE Spectrum, 4 Mar. 2026

After all, many other breakthroughs with big strategic implications—from the Manhattan Project to the space race to early efforts to develop AI—were government-funded and largely government-directed. —Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 3 Mar. 2026

Advancements in ballistics analysis and cutting-edge DNA testing, combined with investigative genetic genealogy, were key to the breakthroughs, leading investigators across the country in their search for the serial killer and rapist. —Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026

Despite these breakthroughs, the promise of personalized therapies — drugs or biologics custom-built for a child’s unique genetic code — has been tantalizingly close yet frustratingly out of reach. —Judy Stecker, STAT, 27 Feb. 2026