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

Gelsinger pointed to several new breakthroughs in areas like optics, power management, and cooling that the industry has yet to adopt. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2026

That’s one reason researchers are focused on finding different ways to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, with breakthroughs happening in an area known as novel endocrine therapies. — Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 6 Nov. 2026

After decades of high-profile disappointments, amyloid-clearing drugs have been celebrated as breakthroughs, possibly even the beginnings of a cure. — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2026

Untangling the mystery Betelgeuse has long been known as a variable star, and recent breakthroughs are helping astronomers untangle its erratic behavior. — Joe Rao, Space.com, 3 Nov. 2026

The first big breakthroughs may not come as a flashy new consumer gadget. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026

The search for Nancy has now entered its ninth month with no arrests or major breakthroughs in the case. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Nov. 2026

Zuckerberg said Reality Labs will only release new products when true breakthroughs are achieved. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026

Although modern recreational hot-air ballooning was still in its infancy in the United States, its popularity was soaring, with technological breakthroughs in the 1960s having made the sport safer and more predictable. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026