zero out
phrasal verb
zeroed out; zeroing out; zeroes out
US
1
: to reduce the amount of (something) to zero
Be sure to zero out the account before you switch banks.
2
: to remove (something) completely
This program will be zeroed out in the budget for next year.
New legislation will zero out further funding for the project.
Examples of zero out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The clarification brings relief to borrowers who were recently notified of their forgiveness eligibility but may still be waiting for their balances to be zeroed out.
—
Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
The White House almost wants to zero out NASA science.
—Briana Alvarado, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2025
In Wisconsin, federal budget cuts so far this year have zeroed out three of the nine Protection and Advocacy grants supporting people with disabilities, from accessing voting polls, employment opportunities, and workplace accommodations.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Too bad that, here in 2025, the mission has already been zeroed out for funding by the current administration.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zero out
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
The White House almost wants to zero out NASA science.
—Briana Alvarado, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2025
In Wisconsin, federal budget cuts so far this year have zeroed out three of the nine Protection and Advocacy grants supporting people with disabilities, from accessing voting polls, employment opportunities, and workplace accommodations.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Too bad that, here in 2025, the mission has already been zeroed out for funding by the current administration.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zero out
Cite this Entry
“Zero out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zero%20out. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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