zero

noun

ˈzir-(ˌ)ō How to pronounce zero (audio)
Definition of zeronext
1
as in nothing
the numerical symbol 0 or the absence of number or quantity represented by it anything multiplied by zero comes out to zero

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in nobody
a person of no importance or influence those snobs on the cruise ship tried to make me feel like a complete zero

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in depth
the lowest point or level after several dating disasters, my confidence with the opposite sex is at zero

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of zero Across coastal California, the tallies were a string of zeroes. — Literary Hub, 15 July 2026 What's better than adding a few zeroes to your monthly income? — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026 Kids whose families had been chased out of half of Europe started the picture studios, the scrap yards that became fortunes, and eventually the software companies that created a whole new world of ones and zeros. — Anthony Scaramucci, Fortune, 28 June 2026 The Skippers pushed their advantage to 6-0 before the clock hit triple zeroes in the opening frame. — Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for zero
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zero
  1. nothing
  2. nobody
  3. depth
  4. nil
  5. cipher
  6. dwarf
  7. lightweight
  8. insect
Noun
  • While CinemaCon 2026 brought us exciting news about new films, it was also bogged down with status quo nothings about how Amazon MGM still hasn’t found a new James Bond.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
  • When Dana, who, like Virginia, had been successful in writing pleasant but undistinguished nothings—in her case, songs for Billy Rose’s revues—decided to try taking on more serious music by studying with Boulanger, Virginia entered a deep downward spiral.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
Definition of nothing
Noun
  • Yvonne and Nick’s disastrous wedding dinner is the day the cast went from nobodies to actual practitioners of the reality-television arts and sciences.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 1 July 2026
  • Despite the tragicomic instability and the rotating cast of nobodies temporarily tasked with running the country, when seen in macroeconomic terms, Peru appears to be doing just fine, thank you.
    — Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 4 June 2026
Definition of nobody
Noun
  • The epicenter was approximately 4 miles northwest of Pinnacles, at a depth of 3 miles.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 27 July 2026
  • Put simply, a lack of depth, whether from rushing into action or insufficient preparation, leads to disappointing results.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of depth
Noun
  • Four-nil down at half-time, Mbappe started a ridiculous comeback.
    — James Horncastle, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • As for the nil-nil draw between Curaçao and Ecuador, three days later, no doubt every sweating tackle will be etched into the consciousness of the seventy thousand spectators who packed into Kansas City Stadium.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
Definition of nil
Noun
  • But in my view, our relationships to animals, whose lives are untouched by the existential woes and artifices of personhood, are the richest and most evident ciphers for our own often inscrutable psyches.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 June 2026
  • Consider a dashboard that shows applications, including keys and libraries; network traffic protocols and ciphers; hardware, such as HSMs and TPMs; and third-party dependencies, including cryptographic or software bills of materials.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Definition of cipher
Noun
  • Norse mythology reinforced this tradition through the story of Fafnir, a dwarf transformed into a dragon by his overwhelming greed for a cursed hoard of gold.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026
  • All fir trees are useful to birds, and some are available in dwarf form for smaller gardens.
    — Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 July 2026
Definition of dwarf
Noun
  • The lightweight, waterproof, and washable style is available for $50 at REI.
    — Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 28 July 2026
  • Experts recommend scheduling strenuous outdoor activities to to early morning or evening hours, wearing lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible and drinking plenty of water.
    — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 27 July 2026
Definition of lightweight
Noun
  • Finally, traps need to be maintained, such as replacing the lures, and disposing of the dead insects and/or traps periodically.
    — Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 29 July 2026
  • The itch comes down to your immune system reacting to proteins in insect saliva.
    — Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 29 July 2026
Definition of insect

Phrases Containing zero

Browse Nearby Words

zephyrs
zero
zeroed (in on)
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Cite this Entry

“Zero.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zero. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on zero

Nglish: Translation of zero for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about zero

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