inroads
Progress into territory
Inroads are advances into territory or progress against something resistant.
The word almost always appears in the plural with "make": The company has made inroads into the Asian market.
Originally military—troops making inroads into enemy territory—the term now describes any gradual encroachment or successful penetration of a difficult space: Disease made inroads on her health.
Hostile territorial penetration
- intrusionUnauthorized entry into space
- invasionForcible entry into territory
- infringementViolation of rights
- trespassUnauthorized entry onto property
encroaching · overstepping · impingement · infiltration · appropriation · takeover · annexation · seizure
Forward progress achieved
- advancementForward movement or promotion
- gainsIncreases in value
- stridesExtended, confident steps
- breakthroughSudden important advance
momentum · development · improvement · growth · penetration · foothold · traction · dent
incursion
Hostile territorial penetration
- intrusionUnauthorized entry into space
- invasionForcible entry into territory
- infringementViolation of rights
trespass · encroaching · overstepping · impingement · infiltration · appropriation · takeover · annexation · seizure · occupation
headway
Forward progress achieved
- advancementForward movement or promotion
- gainsIncreases in value
- stridesExtended, confident steps
breakthrough · momentum · development · improvement · growth · penetration · foothold · traction · dent · impact
inroadsretreats
Backs off or sanctuaries
setbacks · regression · backsliding · stagnation · decline
inroadsretreats
Backs off or sanctuaries
withdrawals · pullbacks · evacuations · concessions · surrenders