Okuzeka
International Relations & Diplomacy vocabulary · Negotiation & Summit Language

Breakthrough

Meaning in international relations & diplomacy, with examples

/ˈbreɪkθruː/nounCommon term

In international relations & diplomacy, breakthrough means: An important step forward in negotiations or talks, especially after a long period without progress.

In Turkish: önemli ilerleme, atılım, dönüm noktası

How it is used

Negotiators 'achieve', 'make' or 'hope for' a breakthrough, and journalists write about a 'major', 'diplomatic' or 'last-minute' breakthrough. Often used with 'on' or 'in': a breakthrough on trade, a breakthrough in the talks.

Example sentences

  1. Negotiators made a breakthrough on the most difficult chapter late last night.

  2. Few observers expect a breakthrough at this week's meeting.

  3. The agreement was described as a diplomatic breakthrough.

Common collocations

  • make a breakthrough
  • major breakthrough
  • diplomatic breakthrough
  • last-minute breakthrough
  • breakthrough in the talks
  • deadlockA situation in which the parties cannot agree and no progress is possible because neither side is willing to change its position.
  • talksFormal discussions between governments or groups, usually to solve a problem or reach an agreement; in this meaning the word is always plural.
  • negotiationFormal discussion between parties who are trying to reach an agreement, in which each side presents its position, makes proposals and may accept compromises.
  • compromiseAn agreement in which each side gives up part of what it wanted so that both can accept the result; the same word is a verb meaning to reach such an agreement.

More terms: Negotiation & Summit Language

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level: