Breakthrough — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈbrāk-ˌthrü/ break·through

Meaning & Definition of Breakthrough

Breakthrough (noun)

  1. a sudden advance especially in knowledge or technique
  2. a person's first notable success —often used before another noun
  3. an act or instance of moving through or beyond an obstacle

Breakthrough (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: advance, advancement, enhancement, improvement, refinement
    related: quantum leap, amelioration, boost, heightening, increase, melioration, strengthening, upgrade, uplift, upswing, uptrend, upturn, betterment, development, elaboration, evolution, expansion, gestation, growth, maturation, perfection, ripening, civilization, edification, education, enlightenment, renaissance, renascence, revival, discovery, find, windfall, innovation, invention
    opposite: setback
    near: breakdown, collapse, crash, hindrance, impediment, stumbling block, decadence, decay, declension, decline, decrease, degeneration, descent, deterioration, diminishment, downgrade, ebbing, failing, flagging, languishment, lapse, lessening, reduction, sinking, slowing, weakening, worsening, detriment, disablement, drawback, glitch, impairment, shortcoming

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Breakthrough

The most common words with a similar meaning to Breakthrough:

advance, advancement, enhancement, improvement, refinement

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Breakthrough

Words with the opposite meaning of Breakthrough:

setback

Related Words for Breakthrough

quantum leap, amelioration, boost, heightening, increase, melioration, strengthening, upgrade, uplift, upswing, uptrend, upturn, betterment, development, elaboration, evolution, expansion, gestation, growth, maturation, perfection, ripening, civilization, edification, education, enlightenment, renaissance, renascence, revival, discovery

Near Antonyms of Breakthrough

breakdown, collapse, crash, hindrance, impediment, stumbling block, decadence, decay, declension, decline, decrease, degeneration, descent, deterioration, diminishment, downgrade, ebbing, failing, flagging, languishment, lapse, lessening, reduction, sinking, slowing, weakening, worsening, detriment, disablement, drawback

Word Forms of Breakthrough

Inflections: breakthroughs

Origin & Etymology of Breakthrough

First known use: 1859

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Breakthrough

Frequently Asked Questions about Breakthrough

What does "Breakthrough" mean?

"Breakthrough" means a sudden advance especially in knowledge or technique. As a noun, it is defined as: a sudden advance especially in knowledge or technique.

What is another word for "Breakthrough"?

Other words for "Breakthrough" include advance, advancement, enhancement, improvement and refinement. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Breakthrough" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Breakthrough"?

There are 39 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Breakthrough". Common alternatives include advance, advancement, enhancement, improvement and refinement.

What is the opposite of "Breakthrough"?

Antonyms of "Breakthrough" include setback. Near antonyms include breakdown, collapse, crash and hindrance.

How do you use "Breakthrough" in a sentence?

Examples of "Breakthrough" in a sentence: "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".

Is "Breakthrough" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Breakthrough" is a noun.

Is "Breakthrough" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Breakthrough" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Breakthrough"?

"Breakthrough" is pronounced /ˈbrāk-ˌthrü/ and divided into syllables as break·through.