groundbreaking
Never done before
Groundbreaking describes something innovative or pioneering—the first of its kind to break new ground: groundbreaking research, a groundbreaking court decision.
The word derives from the literal ceremony of breaking ground to begin construction.
As with many superlatives, overuse has dulled its edge; not every new product or study deserves the label.
Seeking fundamental systemic change
- trailblazingBeing the first through
- cutting-edgeAt innovation's forefront
- transformativeCausing major change
- game-changerSomething transforming everything
unprecedented · visionary · disruptive · avant-garde · radical · original · inventive · novel
Tool for moving earth
- ribbon-cuttingCeremonial opening event
- podiumRaised platform for speakers
- dignitariesPersons of high rank
- hardhatProtective construction headwear
plaque · dedication · commemoration · speeches · mayor · officials · photo-op · foundation
revolutionary
Seeking fundamental systemic change
- trailblazingBeing the first through
- cutting-edgeAt innovation's forefront
- transformativeCausing major change
game-changer · unprecedented · visionary · disruptive · avant-garde · radical · original · inventive · novel · unorthodox
shovel
Tool for moving earth
- ribbon-cuttingCeremonial opening event
- podiumRaised platform for speakers
- dignitariesPersons of high rank
hardhat · plaque · dedication · commemoration · speeches · mayor · officials · photo-op · foundation · construction site
excavation
Act of unearthing
- dig siteArchaeological excavation location
- artifactHuman-made historical object
- fossilPreserved ancient organism
discovery · unearthed · ruins · tomb · relic · stratigraphy · trowel · grid · sediment · finds
- buzzwordssynergy, leverage, paradigm, stakeholder, scalable
- academicscholarly, academic, intellectual, erudite, learned
- ceremonieswedding ceremony, wedding, weddings, graduation, graduations
- community eventsparade, parades, festival, festivals, fair
- creative traitscreative, imaginative, inventive, innovative, original
- fundraisingdonation, donations, donor, donors, fundraiser
groundbreakingunoriginal
Not new or novel
derivative · imitative · hackneyed · clichéd · formulaic
groundbreakingtraditional
Following long-held customs
conventional · old-fashioned · outdated · antiquated · orthodox
groundbreakinginsignificant
Lacking importance or consequence
unremarkable · inconsequential · forgettable · run-of-the-mill · pedestrian