inroad

/ˈɪnroʊd/
noun
  1. An advance or progress into a new area, especially one that reduces the size or influence of something else.
    • The company made significant inroads into the European market.
    • The team's research made inroads into understanding the disease.
    • New technology has made inroads into traditional manufacturing jobs.
  2. A hostile or damaging entry into a territory or domain.
    • The army made an inroad into enemy territory at dawn.
    • Pests made inroads into the farmer's crops.
    • The floodwaters made inroads into the coastal towns.
Antonyms
What does "inroad" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean