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
The first stop on this retrospective journey is the Cold War, a time marked by scientific breakthroughs that were both awesome and terrifying.
—
Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 10 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
There’s the smallest of breakthroughs.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026
The $500 Rule by Donny Broussard Limitations are often the source of the biggest creative breakthroughs, and this exercise offers a smart way to kickstart your year of filmmaking.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 6 Jan. 2026
These breakthroughs won’t happen until the last two years of the dig, beginning in April.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 6 Jan. 2026
Self-reflection leads to massive breakthroughs, and all on your own.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
More breakthroughs, more yapping, and more music.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2025
But if people are correct about big breakthroughs occurring in the near future, California can’t afford to miss out on the opportunity.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 10 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
There’s the smallest of breakthroughs.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026
The $500 Rule by Donny Broussard Limitations are often the source of the biggest creative breakthroughs, and this exercise offers a smart way to kickstart your year of filmmaking.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 6 Jan. 2026
These breakthroughs won’t happen until the last two years of the dig, beginning in April.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 6 Jan. 2026
Self-reflection leads to massive breakthroughs, and all on your own.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
More breakthroughs, more yapping, and more music.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2025
But if people are correct about big breakthroughs occurring in the near future, California can’t afford to miss out on the opportunity.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breakthroughs
Noun
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Filling in and fixing scenes during post-production, including generating pick-up shots, continuity breaks, editing and other improvements when the cameras have stopped rolling.—
David Bloom,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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Deaths from all other leading cancers, including breast, lung and pancreatic cancers, have declined—which Dahut largely attributes to improvements in therapies.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This rising use of AI has principally been spurred by the evolving advances and widespread adoption of generative AI.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
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These included no agreements with partners for repaying cash advances from the county; failing to timely reimburse nonprofits in the field for services even when money was available; inadequate controls over contract reviews or cash payments; and inappropriate use of funds.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Police remain hopeful that recent advancements in DNA testing, which have been used on evidence collected in Amber's case, and new tips from the public will help solve the case.—
Emily Krauser,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
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Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more.—
Taylor Nicioli,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breakthroughs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breakthroughs. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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