zero in on

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

Tabloids zeroed in on the couple’s relationship, and then Cooper and Kaplan announced her pregnancy in an Instagram post. —Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 12 June 2026

Regulators zeroed in on three potential areas of concern. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026

The research, conducted by Francois Berkmans, Ludovic Nys, and Maxence Bigerelle, focuses on how surface metrology—essentially, the texture and topography of a painting’s brushstrokes—can be used like a fingerprint to zero in on the authorship of a particular artwork. —Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 11 June 2026

Back in Munich, the beer story widens beyond the festival tents and zeroes in on a place where even nondrinkers consider their visit a pilgrimage. —David Dickstein, Oc Register, 10 June 2026

Rhymes for zero in on

• agamemnon
• automaton
• diencephalon
• panopticon
• phenomenon
• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon