In-roads refer to progress made in an area or field that has previously been difficult to penetrate or achieve success. Antonyms for in-roads could include stagnation, stasis, or decline. These words connote a lack of progress, innovation or growth. Other antonyms for in-roads could include retrogression, regression or recession, which highlight a decline. These words suggest a loss of progress or return to a previous state. While in-roads are a mark of success, antonyms denote an unsuccessful endeavour with no accomplishment in the area or field. However, one should learn from failures and persist until the desired goal is achieved.