zero tolerance

noun

: a policy of giving the most severe punishment possible to every person who commits a crime or breaks a rule
The police announced that there will be zero tolerance for looters.
The camp has a zero tolerance drug and alcohol policy.

Examples of zero tolerance in a Sentence

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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.
Police need to double down on zero tolerance. — Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026 There must be zero tolerance for corruption or misuse of public funds. — Teresa Liu, Daily News, 5 May 2026 Some 70% of boomers have zero tolerance for any level of tardiness, but Gen Z says that 10 minutes late is still on time. — Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 11 May 2026 Prices surged by the most since 2022 last month, and inflation-wary Americans are demonstrating zero tolerance for more cost-of-living pain. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for zero tolerance

Rhymes for zero tolerance

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Browse Nearby Words

zero tillage
zero tolerance
zerovalent
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Cite this Entry

“Zero tolerance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zero%20tolerance. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on zero tolerance

Nglish: Translation of zero tolerance for Spanish Speakers

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