zero

noun

ˈzir-(ˌ)ō How to pronounce zero (audio)
Definition of zeronext
1
as in nothing
the numerical symbol 0 or the absence of number or quantity represented by it anything multiplied by zero comes out to zero

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in nobody
a person of no importance or influence those snobs on the cruise ship tried to make me feel like a complete zero

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in depth
the lowest point or level after several dating disasters, my confidence with the opposite sex is at zero

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of zero In the ‘90s-style video of the song, Swift participates in a dance competition and receives three zeroes from the judges. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026 After the game, the team will quickly depart roughly an hour after the clock hits all zeroes. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2026 Within a certain interval, the zeros appear to all lie on a straight line. — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026 Tech has crept into every facet of everyday life, like an invisible fog of ones and zeros. — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for zero
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zero
  1. nothing
  2. nobody
  3. depth
  4. nil
  5. cipher
  6. dwarf
  7. lightweight
  8. insect
Noun
  • While CinemaCon 2026 brought us exciting news about new films, it was also bogged down with status quo nothings about how Amazon MGM still hasn’t found a new James Bond.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
  • When Dana, who, like Virginia, had been successful in writing pleasant but undistinguished nothings—in her case, songs for Billy Rose’s revues—decided to try taking on more serious music by studying with Boulanger, Virginia entered a deep downward spiral.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
Definition of nothing
Noun
  • In the trailer, the civilians are selling themselves as a new breed of nobodies.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Despite the tragicomic instability and the rotating cast of nobodies temporarily tasked with running the country, when seen in macroeconomic terms, Peru appears to be doing just fine, thank you.
    — Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 4 June 2026
Definition of nobody
Noun
  • For one game, against the Chargers on Sunday at Arrowhead, the Chiefs dug into their depth chart and got significant contributions from the next men up in a 22-6 victory.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The earthquake's epicenter was about 1 mile south-southwest of San Ramon and occurred at a depth of 4 miles.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of depth
Noun
  • And in the current geopolitical climate, the prospects are next to nil.
    — Ian Johnstone, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Another stunner was Brentford’s 3-nil win over Tottenham Hotspur.
    — Greg Cote August 23, Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of nil
Noun
  • There’s that vibrancy and, on the other side of the ledger, dead boys, ciphers, unfinished or unfinishable quests.
    — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • But in my view, our relationships to animals, whose lives are untouched by the existential woes and artifices of personhood, are the richest and most evident ciphers for our own often inscrutable psyches.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 June 2026
Definition of cipher
Noun
  • While most citrus trees are too large for indoor growing, there are a few small or dwarf varieties of citrus that can be kept indoors year-round in pots.
    — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 16 Oct. 2026
  • These explosions, known as hypernovas, were first proposed to explain unusual stars in the halo of our galaxy, the Milky Way, and in a neighboring dwarf galaxy.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of dwarf
Noun
  • Available in six styles—two of which are prescription-ready—each pair features polarized lenses, lightweight frames, noise-cancelling microphones, and open-ear hi-fi audio.
    — Matt Alderton, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The company says its paddings provide the same soft touch and luxurious look, lightweight and silky feel of down stuffing.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of lightweight
Noun
  • Unlike Gregor Samsa who is confined to his room after transforming into a huge insect, the protagonist still has to go to work, a dark and bleak absurdity that lays bare the alienation, isolation, and hypocrisy of modern life.
    — Deadline, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
  • At the hospital, an insect fell from the girl’s shoe, and a staffer saw a cockroach crawling on her, the district attorney’s office said.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of insect

Phrases Containing zero

Browse Nearby Words

zephyrs
zero
zeroed (in on)
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Cite this Entry

“Zero.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zero. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on zero

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about zero

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