zero tolerance
noun
: a policy of giving the most severe punishment possible to every person who commits a crime or breaks a rule
The police announced that there will be zero tolerance for looters.
The camp has a zero tolerance drug and alcohol policy.
Examples of zero tolerance in a Sentence
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Police say the public also plays a key role in keeping the event safe, urging paradegoers to report anything suspicious and reminding attendees there will be zero tolerance for drinking in public during the event.
—
Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
The Israeli military, in a rare statement, condemned the settler violence and vowed zero tolerance.
—Imad Isseid, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
For those criminals, there is zero tolerance — they should be immediately deported or imprisoned, and sanctuary jurisdictions that give them safe harbor must be held accountable.
—Gabe Evans, Denver Post, 25 Feb. 2026
As administrator, my office is enforcing zero tolerance for waste, fraud, or abuse while keeping the program on track for the 2026–27 school year.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for zero tolerance
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Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
The Israeli military, in a rare statement, condemned the settler violence and vowed zero tolerance.
—Imad Isseid, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
For those criminals, there is zero tolerance — they should be immediately deported or imprisoned, and sanctuary jurisdictions that give them safe harbor must be held accountable.
—Gabe Evans, Denver Post, 25 Feb. 2026
As administrator, my office is enforcing zero tolerance for waste, fraud, or abuse while keeping the program on track for the 2026–27 school year.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for zero tolerance
Cite this Entry
“Zero tolerance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zero%20tolerance. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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