View synonyms for

breakthrough

[ breyk-throo ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a military movement or advance all the way through and beyond an enemy's frontline defense.
an act or instance of removing or surpassing an obstruction or restriction; the overcoming of a stalemate:
The president reported a breakthrough in the treaty negotiations.
any significant or sudden advance, development, achievement, or increase, as in scientific knowledge or diplomacy, that removes a barrier to progress:
The jet engine was a major breakthrough in air transport.
Medicine/Medical. an infection, disease, disorder, or condition that occurs in an individual despite their having received a vaccine, medication, or treatment:
Covid breakthroughs are usually less severe than infections in unvaccinated people, indicating that the vaccine is still doing its job of combating the virus.

adjective

constituting a breakthrough: Critics called it a breakthrough film.
Their products are engineered with breakthrough technology.
Critics called it a breakthrough film.
Medicine/Medical. relating to or being an infection, disease, disorder, or condition that occurs as a breakthrough: She experienced disabling breakthrough pain despite the high dose of painkillers she was taking.
In the original vaccine trial, 89% of breakthrough infections were with a particular family of virus strains.
She experienced disabling breakthrough pain despite the high dose of painkillers she was taking.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of breakthrough¹

First recorded in 1915–20; noun use of verb phrase break through

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

It’s an engaging chronicle of the academic breakthroughs that transformed investing from guesswork and gut feelings into a more scientific endeavor.

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Mr Briggs told the BBC that he felt his years of campaigning was on the "edge of a breakthrough", but that he would remain "cautiously optimistic" until the amendment became law.

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Zelensky's visit to South Africa marks a diplomatic breakthrough for the Ukrainian leader in his efforts to counter Russia's growing influence in Africa.

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The visit marks a diplomatic breakthrough for the Ukrainian leader in his efforts to counter Russia's strong - and growing - influence in Africa.

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Young has three nominations including best song musically and lyrically for her breakthrough hit Messy, which spent a month at number one in the UK earlier this year.

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Related Words

break the record break through

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