zero hours

noun

plural of zero hour
as in crises
a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action we're at the zero hour, so someone has to make a decision

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 hours Nevertheless, this is an improvement on the zero hours that (many) men were doing 50 years ago. — Meg Walters, Glamour, 9 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zero hours
  1. crises
  2. crossroads
  3. heads
Noun
  • The effort has included resilience drills testing how local officials would keep the government running during cascading crises, from earthquakes to a Chinese invasion.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The same principle applies to mental health, humanitarian crises and social fragmentation.
    — Ricardo Bellino, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of crises
Noun
  • Rapid technology evolution is unavoidable, and every day will bring a new tool and another crossroads.
    — Dani Mariano, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • One year and one week later, the Cincinnati Reds selected Gausman off waivers as his career reached a crossroads.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of crossroads
Noun
  • Continue reading … PULPIT POWER — Megachurch pastor scores primary win in Kansas, heads for big money showdown.
    — , FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Both teams’ heads of baseball operations already were under immense scrutiny.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of heads

Browse Nearby Words

zero hour
zero hours
zeroing (in on)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Zero hours.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zero%20hours. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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