zero in on
phrasal verb
zeroed in on; zeroing in on; zeroes in on
1
: to direct all of one's attention to (someone or something)
Scientists are hoping to zero in on a cure.
2
: to aim something (such as a gun or camera) directly at (someone or something)
The gunner zeroed in on the target.
Examples of zero in on in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In the chaos of it all, a Russian drone, its ominous silhouette barely discernible against the darkened sky, zeroed in on the boat.
—
Dominique Soguel, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 June 2024
Newsom has been pushing on another front on homelessness and mental health, zeroing in on a narrower set of homeless people.
—Vik Jolly, Sacramento Bee, 3 June 2024
To find order amid the chaotic landscape, the researchers zeroed in on the water table, which is the elevation at which the ground becomes saturated with water.
—Quanta Magazine, 28 May 2024
That’s because politicians like Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), who chairs the anti-trust subcommittee in the Senate, have zeroed in on Ticketmaster’s 70-80% market share of the top 100 highest-grossing theaters, arenas and stadiums in North America.
—Dave Brooks, Billboard, 17 May 2024
In recent years, the public health community has zeroed in on housing’s effects in particular, as costs have shot up and evidence has mounted about the destructive effects of housing instability.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune Well, 21 May 2024
Stewart zeroed in on how conservative media reacted to the criticism, playing clips of right-wing media pundits claiming the left was fueling an attack on free speech.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 21 May 2024
The software then zeroes in on an anticipated filter replacement date.
—Joe Rubino, The Denver Post, 17 May 2024
They are expected to zero in on Cohen's extensive credibility issues.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 14 May 2024
Dominique Soguel, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 June 2024
Newsom has been pushing on another front on homelessness and mental health, zeroing in on a narrower set of homeless people.
—Vik Jolly, Sacramento Bee, 3 June 2024
To find order amid the chaotic landscape, the researchers zeroed in on the water table, which is the elevation at which the ground becomes saturated with water.
—Quanta Magazine, 28 May 2024
That’s because politicians like Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), who chairs the anti-trust subcommittee in the Senate, have zeroed in on Ticketmaster’s 70-80% market share of the top 100 highest-grossing theaters, arenas and stadiums in North America.
—Dave Brooks, Billboard, 17 May 2024
In recent years, the public health community has zeroed in on housing’s effects in particular, as costs have shot up and evidence has mounted about the destructive effects of housing instability.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune Well, 21 May 2024
Stewart zeroed in on how conservative media reacted to the criticism, playing clips of right-wing media pundits claiming the left was fueling an attack on free speech.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 21 May 2024
The software then zeroes in on an anticipated filter replacement date.
—Joe Rubino, The Denver Post, 17 May 2024
They are expected to zero in on Cohen's extensive credibility issues.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 14 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'zero in on.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near zero in on
Cite this Entry
“Zero in on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zero%20in%20on. Accessed 12 Jun. 2024.
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