zero in on

phrasal verb

zeroed in on; zeroing in on; zeroes in on
1
: to direct all of one's attention to (someone or something)
Scientists are hoping to zero in on a cure.
2
: to aim something (such as a gun or camera) directly at (someone or something)
The gunner zeroed in on the target.

Examples of zero in on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Hours after the Apple TV+ series tied the record for the most Emmy Award nominations for a comedy series, Rogen confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the team had zeroed in on other glitzy affairs to serve as episode backdrops for the upcoming second season that is currently being shaped. Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025 The sprawling nature of the assailant’s rantings and grievances led government officials and other observers to zero in on single pieces of information immediately after the attack, which also injured 16 children and three adult parishioners. Ernesto Londoño, Twin Cities, 1 Sep. 2025 The study zeroed in on the reticular thalamic nucleus, or RTN, a region that filters sensory information between the thalamus and cortex. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2025 Westman zeroed in on Annunciation – and specifically the all-school mass on Wednesday – after finding an online school schedule, the journal shows. Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for zero in on

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Zero in on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zero%20in%20on. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!