Fibrinolysis is a medical term that describes the process of breaking down fibrin, a protein involved in blood clotting. There are several synonyms for this word, including thrombolysis, clot dissolution, fibrin dissolution, clot breakdown, and blood thinning. Thrombolysis refers specifically to the breakdown of blood clots and is often used in the context of treating heart attacks or strokes. Clot dissolution and fibrin dissolution are more general terms that describe the breaking down of fibrin clots or deposits in the body. Blood thinning is a broader term that refers to the prevention of blood clots and can be achieved by various mechanisms, including the inhibition of fibrinolysis.