1
as in nobody
a person of no importance or influence
a passive and retiring little zilch of a person
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Recent Examples of zilch
The women earned as little as $25 per game—or frequently zilch.
—
Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
Reviews have been mixed, with some critics embracing Gyllenhaal’s bold vision and others dismissing it as a whole lot of sound and fury, signifying zilch.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026
Once all the air pollution goes to zilch in half an hour, the Airmega automatically switches into eco mode.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 6 Feb. 2026
At zero or zip or zilch charge.
—Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2026
The Bengals, meanwhile, have zip-zilch-nada defensively other than Trey Hendrickson, who might not play on a short week with a bad back/hip.
—Vic Tafur, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
Reviews have been mixed, with some critics embracing Gyllenhaal’s bold vision and others dismissing it as a whole lot of sound and fury, signifying zilch.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026
Once all the air pollution goes to zilch in half an hour, the Airmega automatically switches into eco mode.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 6 Feb. 2026
At zero or zip or zilch charge.
—Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2026
The Bengals, meanwhile, have zip-zilch-nada defensively other than Trey Hendrickson, who might not play on a short week with a bad back/hip.
—Vic Tafur, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zilch
Noun
-
Seattle’s John Schneider and New England’s Eliot Wolf rose up from young nobodies to graduate from Green Bay Packers University, too.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Many of Newsom’s critics who breathlessly report on his evil plans (that the left-wing mainstream media supposedly cover up) are just nobodies who feign authority and are obviously fronting for right-wing organizations.—
Dan Walters,
Oc Register,
16 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Why did her mom press so hard for the littlest of nothings?—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
4 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
As zonky cross-generational ciphers go, the group’s debut, Strictly 4 the Scythe, is no Hypnotize Camp Posse, the amalgam of Three 6 Mafia and a grip of artists signed to their Hypnotize Minds label in the early 2000s.—
Dylan Green,
Pitchfork,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The still-unidentified Zodiac Killer, who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s, frequently sent threats, demands and ciphers to multiple local papers — namely the San Francisco Chronicle.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As the clock reached zeroes, an emotional UCLA head coach Cori Close, a former Milpitas High star, embraced with South Carolina coach Dawn Staley and the rest of the team celebrated the win.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
As the clock reached zeroes, an emotional UCLA head coach Cori Close embraced with South Carolina coach Dawn Staley and the rest of the team celebrated the win.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University Extension, recommends the Perry Baby Red or Pygmaea Helvola dwarf varieties in particular.—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Dodgers’ $850-million annual revenue dwarfs competitors like the Diamondbacks at $324 million, exemplifying the financial gulf driving owners’ desire for cost controls.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Every spring packing list should include a jacket, like this lightweight, pillowy layer that will keep you warm on chilly spring days.—
Destinee Scott,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Prepare for spring’s unpredictable weather with this lightweight, easy-to-layer cardigan.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing such as long pants and sleeves and checking for ticks after being outside in tick-prone areas can substantially reduce the risk of being bitten.—
Tara Haelle,
Scientific American,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Moss can provide shelter for insects like beetles, spiders, ants, cockroaches, and worms.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Zilch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zilch. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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