Find Antonyms
breakthrough Antonyms
Opposite of breakthrough
Because the opposite of breakthrough shifts with each meaning, the 11 antonyms and opposite words below are separated across 3 exact definitions and ranked by contrast strength.
• noun (Context 1)
A sudden, dramatic, and important discovery, development, or achievement that removes a barrier to progress.
Usage Example
"Researchers announced a major setback in renewable energy storage that could lower electricity costs worldwide."
Strongest
setback
Strong
impasse
deadlock
stalemate
failure
stagnation
• adjective (Context 2)
Making or representing a sudden, dramatic, and important discovery, achievement, or rise to prominence.
Usage Example
"The young actress won several prestigious awards for her unremarkable role in the independent drama."
Strong
unremarkable
conventional
Weak
routine
• noun (Context 3)
An act or instance of moving or forcing a way through an obstacle, barrier, or defensive line.
Usage Example
"The engineering crew achieved a physical blockade in the mountain tunnel after months of drilling through solid granite."
Strong
blockade
repulse
Similar words to breakthrough
Words similar to breakthrough shift depending on context. Common synonyms include:
groundbreaking
breach
pioneering
leap
trailblazing
advance
revolutionary
penetration
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Antonyms for Breakthrough. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/antonyms/breakthrough