zero-sum

adjective

ze·ro-sum ˈzir-(ˌ)ō-ˈsəm

ˈzē-(ˌ)rō-

: of, relating to, or being a situation (such as a game or relationship) in which a gain for one side entails a corresponding loss for the other side

dividing up the budget is a zero-sum game

Did you know?

Does game theory sound like fun? It can be—if you are a mathematician or economist who needs to analyze a competitive situation in which the outcome is determined by the choices of the players and chance. Game theory was introduced by mathematician John von Neumann and economist Oskar Morgenstern in their 1944 book The Theory of Games and Economic Behavior. In game theory, a zero-sum game is one, such as chess or checkers, where each player has a clear purpose that is completely opposed to that of the opponent. In economics, a situation is zero-sum if the gains of one party are exactly balanced by the losses of another and no net gain or loss is created; however, such situations in real life are rare.

Examples of zero-sum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The challenge comes from narrow views of DEI, driving oversimplifications and zero-sum thinking. —

Andrea Carter, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2024 The zero-sum game of it all seems to be a part of the music industry where there’s this rapaciousness to it. —

Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2024 People in this group believe that the U.S.-Chinese rivalry is a zero-sum game and that Washington and Beijing are engaged in a cold war that requires even more aggressive tactics from the United States. —

Wang Jisi, Foreign Affairs, 1 Aug. 2024 The Israelis are still stuck in a zero-sum game, while many Arab states have moved toward accommodation. —

David Ignatius, Washington Post, 31 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for zero-sum

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'zero-sum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.