groundbreaking
3 synonyms and 1 antonym for groundbreaking, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — New and innovative; doing something that hasn't been done before.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
groundbreaking ceremony
innovational
Antonyms
How to use groundbreaking
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
groundbreaking research
groundbreaking discovery
hold a groundbreaking ceremony
Etymology
From ground plus breaking, referring to the literal breaking of ground at the start of a construction project.
Full origin of groundbreaking →Frequently asked questions
What does “groundbreaking” mean?
The word “groundbreaking” means new and innovative; doing something that hasn't been done before. In plain terms, something highly original and pioneering, or the ceremony that kicks off a building project.
How do you pronounce “groundbreaking”?
“Groundbreaking” is pronounced GROWND-bray-kihng (/ˈɡɹaʊndˌbɹeɪkɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “groundbreaking” in a sentence?
Here is “groundbreaking” used in a sentence: “The study was groundbreaking in how it treated the disease.”
What part of speech is “groundbreaking”?
Depending on how it is used, “groundbreaking” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “groundbreaking” a common word?
“Groundbreaking” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “groundbreaking” have?
“Groundbreaking” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: new and innovative; doing something that hasn't been done before.
Related words
break ground
cutting edge
