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
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.
The deduction phases out above those levels, zeroing out for singles with $175,000 in income or higher, $250,000 for couples. Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025 Even before the Education Department announced the frozen funds, the affected grants were zeroed out in Trump’s discretionary budget request for fiscal year 2026. Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025 Trump's 2026 budget proposal called for Congress to zero out all of the programs under review, signaling the administration sees them as unnecessary. arkansasonline.com, 3 July 2025 Trump’s 2026 budget proposal called for Congress to zero out all of the programs under review, signaling the administration sees them as unnecessary. Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 July 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 21 Jul. 2025.

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