zero in on
phrasal verb
zeroed in on; zeroing in on; zeroes in on
1
: to direct all of one's attention to (someone or something)
Scientists are hoping to zero in on a cure.
2
: to aim something (such as a gun or camera) directly at (someone or something)
The gunner zeroed in on the target.
Examples of zero in on in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
More than a year ago, England zeroed in on Kansas City for its base camp.
—
Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2026
Kennedy announced last year that his department would cancel more than $500 million in contracts and funding for the development of vaccines using mRNA, zeroing in on research into coronavirus and flu vaccines.
—CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Using Earth as a benchmark could help scientists zero in on exoplanets that are the most likely to have the perfect balance of elements essential for life.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 10 Feb. 2026
But zeroing in on the toss-ups alone, 14 are Republican, and only four are Democratic.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for zero in on
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Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2026
Kennedy announced last year that his department would cancel more than $500 million in contracts and funding for the development of vaccines using mRNA, zeroing in on research into coronavirus and flu vaccines.
—CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Using Earth as a benchmark could help scientists zero in on exoplanets that are the most likely to have the perfect balance of elements essential for life.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 10 Feb. 2026
But zeroing in on the toss-ups alone, 14 are Republican, and only four are Democratic.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for zero in on
Cite this Entry
“Zero in on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zero%20in%20on. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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