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
Recent Examples on the Web
Krise has since been charged with leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash resulting in death, zero tolerance driving while intoxicated and driving across hazard markings, police said.
—
Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 19 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
Agencies nationwide relied on zero tolerance policing in the late 1990s and even early 2010s, when officers would over-enforce low-level violations such as loitering or marijuana possession, Snider said.
—Stella Canino-Quinones, Baltimore Sun, 3 Apr. 2026
There must be zero tolerance for abuse, exploitation, and the silencing of victims, no matter who is involved.
—City News Service, Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for zero tolerance
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Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 19 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
Agencies nationwide relied on zero tolerance policing in the late 1990s and even early 2010s, when officers would over-enforce low-level violations such as loitering or marijuana possession, Snider said.
—Stella Canino-Quinones, Baltimore Sun, 3 Apr. 2026
There must be zero tolerance for abuse, exploitation, and the silencing of victims, no matter who is involved.
—City News Service, Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for zero tolerance
Cite this Entry
“Zero tolerance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zero%20tolerance. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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