zero out
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
For example, the NSF budget for social science research would be zeroed out; the NIH would lose both the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
—
ArsTechnica, 6 Apr. 2026
Eric Swalwell also zeroed out withholdings on his congressional salary in 2023 and withheld just $2,580 the year before, effectively delaying payment of his federal taxes in a move that incurred penalties.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Most employees of the behemoth agency are still getting regular paychecks, but Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) officers are being forced to show up for work in airport security without that guarantee, months after seeing their paychecks zeroed out during the last government shutdown.
—Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
The two tax plans would also zero out taxes for tens of millions of Americans.
—Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for zero out
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ArsTechnica, 6 Apr. 2026
Eric Swalwell also zeroed out withholdings on his congressional salary in 2023 and withheld just $2,580 the year before, effectively delaying payment of his federal taxes in a move that incurred penalties.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Most employees of the behemoth agency are still getting regular paychecks, but Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) officers are being forced to show up for work in airport security without that guarantee, months after seeing their paychecks zeroed out during the last government shutdown.
—Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
The two tax plans would also zero out taxes for tens of millions of Americans.
—Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 18 Mar. 2026
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 Apr. 2026.
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