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
  • In April, Google announced updates to its AI chatbot Gemini to detect potential mental health crises and direct users to hotline resources.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
  • The reshuffle comes after almost a week of nationwide unrest and represents one of the biggest political crises since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 22 July 2026
Definition of crises
Noun
  • For the first time since achieving his five successive Tour podiums, Vingegaard stands at a crossroads.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • And Sahib believes haircare is arriving at exactly the same crossroads.
    — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of crossroads
Noun
  • Images from Indonesia's Presidential Secretariat show several polished stone ax heads and ceremonial objects traditionally associated with Papuan societies.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
  • NurPhoto via Getty Images Formula 1 heads to Hungary this weekend for the last race on the calendar before the annual three-week summer break.
    — Yara Elshebiny, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of heads

Browse Nearby Words

zero hour
zero hours
zeroing (in on)
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Cite this Entry

“Zero hours.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zero%20hours. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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