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

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Investigators have still not zeroed in on a leading motive for her disappearance, a source told CNN. Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026 Morales also zeroed in on access. Aarón Torres, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026 Many employers zero in on candidates with a BSN. Metro Creative Services, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026 Rather than zeroing in on the gut microbiome, the study turns our attention to the mouth as a potential biological signal of metabolic health. New Atlas, 14 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for zero in on

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Cite this Entry

“Zero in on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zero%20in%20on. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.

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