breakthrough

noun

ˈbrāk-ˌthrü How to pronounce breakthrough (audio)
Definition of breakthroughnext
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of breakthrough It's also designed to be fully and rapidly reusable, a breakthrough that SpaceX believes will revolutionize spaceflight. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Bart Preneel, a cryptography professor at the Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven) in Belgium, says the consequences would depend on the scale of any breakthrough. — Chris Stokel-Walker, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2026 The scientist’s anticipation of a breakthrough builds alongside the music, giving the familiar anthem a purpose beyond showing off the singer’s voice. — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026 Rutley, recipient of the Christopher Reeve Emerging Talent Award, noted that the ceremony fell on his 41st birthday and offered encouragement to actors still waiting for their breakthrough. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for breakthrough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breakthrough
  1. improvement
  2. advance
  3. advancement
Noun
  • Long overdue improvements to the debt restructuring process remain crucially important for the handful of countries that need debt stock reduction.
    — Masood Ahmed, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Officials have completed road improvements along the detour route and will deploy traffic control officers at 18 key intersections during the bridge’s full closure.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of improvement
Noun
  • Both public events are free, though advance reservations are required.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The benefits of space exploration extend well beyond the Moon, potentially driving advances in energy storage, electric vehicles and other technologies on Earth.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of advance
Noun
  • Trade tech advancements are helping those at the vanguard of the new NA movement.
    — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2026
  • In addition to being the league’s most valuable franchise, the Valkyries now hold the record for the fastest advancement to the Finals for an expansion team, making it to the championship in only their second season.
    — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of advancement

Browse Nearby Words

break the law
breakthrough
breakthroughs
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Cite this Entry

“Breakthrough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breakthrough. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on breakthrough

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about breakthrough

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