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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Recent Examples of breakthrough
Yale New Haven Hospital has made a major breakthrough for reconstructive and lymphatic surgery patients by becoming the first in New England and fifth center in the United States to use the Symani Surgical System robot.
—
Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2025
The breakthrough for me ... for the analytic people to consistently be able to measure where the ball's hitting each player's bat, and design bats specifically for each hitter, is just brilliant.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
The breakthrough didn’t just come from the material alone: the researchers had to develop a new way to etch structures into it.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2025
At this highest level, the efficiency gains and scientific breakthroughs could be enormous.
—Cathy Hackl, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for breakthrough
Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2025
The breakthrough for me ... for the analytic people to consistently be able to measure where the ball's hitting each player's bat, and design bats specifically for each hitter, is just brilliant.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
The breakthrough didn’t just come from the material alone: the researchers had to develop a new way to etch structures into it.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2025
At this highest level, the efficiency gains and scientific breakthroughs could be enormous.
—Cathy Hackl, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for breakthrough
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breakthrough
Noun
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On the union’s agenda is improvements to compensation, benefits, workplace safety and transparency, diversity, accessibility and job security at their workplaces.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2025
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The team could also use some improvements on the offensive line, a potential better approach to building up the offense before selecting a running back.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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At issue are timing advance records, detailed location data from a phone that is only preserved for seven days.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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The senators asked the Office of Government Ethics to probe whether any White House or executive branch officials, to include special government employees, were informed of the announcement in advance and what financial transactions were made by officials with knowledge of nonpublic information.—
Isabella Murray,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Chou also pointed to the importance of quantum’s advancements in the medical space.—
Rachel Curry,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2025
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This metronome light system is a new technological advancement in natural sleep aids.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Breakthrough.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breakthrough. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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