groundbreaking

adjective

ground·​break·​ing ˈgrau̇n(d)-ˌbrā-kiŋ How to pronounce groundbreaking (audio)
Synonyms of groundbreaking
: introducing new ideas or methods
has written a groundbreaking work

Examples of groundbreaking in a Sentence

She was honored for her groundbreaking work in nuclear physics.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
What's a groundbreaking Father's Day gift to give to your dad? — Jamie Fischer, Parents, 20 June 2026 My father was really famous in the 1970s—a groundbreaking comedian and a household name. — John Blake, CNN Money, 9 June 2026 But sometimes the best, most groundbreaking work comes from those who, by luck or design, don’t even see the boundaries to begin with—which is as good of a place as any to begin the story of Cygnet Gin. — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 1 June 2026 Filmed in Technicolor, its visual effects were truly groundbreaking, as the movie imagined alien terrors that, before then, had only been possible on the page or on radio. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for groundbreaking

Word History

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of groundbreaking was in 1904

Rhymes for groundbreaking

See All Rhymes for groundbreaking

Browse Nearby Words

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groundbreaking
ground burnut
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Cite this Entry

“Groundbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/groundbreaking. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on groundbreaking

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for groundbreaking

Nglish: Translation of groundbreaking for Spanish Speakers

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