zero-sum game
noun
: a situation in which one person or group can win something only by causing another person or group to lose it
Dividing up the budget is a zero-sum game.
Examples of zero-sum game in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But there is a bit of a zero-sum game in the battle between cities and their suburbs, isn‘t there?
—
IEEE Spectrum, 18 May 2021
The beauty of creating a customer for life is that both sides grow together in an alliance that proves business need not be a zero-sum game.
—Wayne McCulloch, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2023
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
IEEE Spectrum, 18 May 2021
The beauty of creating a customer for life is that both sides grow together in an alliance that proves business need not be a zero-sum game.
—Wayne McCulloch, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near zero-sum game
Cite this Entry
“Zero-sum game.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zero-sum%20game. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share