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
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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
Meg Walters, Glamour, 9 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zero hours
Noun
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Alarmingly, in simulated war games designed to mirror Cold-War-style nuclear crises, AI models overwhelmingly escalated toward nuclear options, choosing tactical nuclear action in 95% of scenarios and rarely opting for de-escalation.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Mar. 2026
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Even gold was caught up in the selling frenzy, odd for a safe haven asset usually turned to during times of crises.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Several teams around the league appear to be at a crossroads of sorts, and there could be opportunities this summer as a result.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
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Davion Mitchell has been here before, the risk-reward crossroads between going full speed, shoulder first through a hard screen or practicing prudence.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Video circulating on social media shows tense moments inside the cabin as passengers were instructed to put their heads down and raise their hands while armed officers entered the plane.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
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Members of the mother’s group, Walker’s family and advocates, held hands and in unison bowed their heads to listen.—
Mariana Navarrete Villegas,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Zero hours.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zero%20hours. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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