as in center
a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest
a city that was once ground zero for the insurance industry
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Recent Examples of ground zero
Here, the film suggests, became ground zero for the lifelong loneliness Perry seemingly experienced, which may have led to his long and well-publicized battles with drugs and alcohol that ultimately led to his death in October 2023.
—
Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Feb. 2025
Waukegan is ground zero because ambulances approach from numerous towns to get to Vista Medical Center East.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2025
For the next few weeks or so, the residence served as ground zero for many headline-making moments in the pop superstar’s life, from shaving her head to attacking a paparazzo’s car with an umbrella.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 18 Feb. 2025
The monument in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village section is in a tiny park across the street from the Stonewall Inn, a bar that became ground zero for the gay rights movement on June 28, 1969, when gay and transgender patrons and neighborhood residents fought back against a police raid.
—Susan Haigh, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ground zero
Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Feb. 2025
Waukegan is ground zero because ambulances approach from numerous towns to get to Vista Medical Center East.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2025
For the next few weeks or so, the residence served as ground zero for many headline-making moments in the pop superstar’s life, from shaving her head to attacking a paparazzo’s car with an umbrella.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 18 Feb. 2025
The monument in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village section is in a tiny park across the street from the Stonewall Inn, a bar that became ground zero for the gay rights movement on June 28, 1969, when gay and transgender patrons and neighborhood residents fought back against a police raid.
—Susan Haigh, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ground zero
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ground zero
Noun
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The move comes on the heels of massive changes at the center, as President Trump fired the president and chairman in early February.—
Ashraf Khalil,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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Research shows harboring resentment erodes your mental and physical health, consuming your thoughts, keeping the hurt at the center of your daily activities, weighing you down and depleting energy that could be channeled into more positive and creative directions.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
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On the other side of the Nile, which runs through the capital, Babakir Khalid, 2 months old, gasped for breath.—
Declan Walsh,
New York Times,
19 Apr. 2025
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The pilot eventually managed to land the airplane outside Belize City after being forced to circle the airspace between northern Belize and the capital.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Charlotte City Council approved an $89 million plan in 2023 to build a new underground bus hub at the site of the current transit center.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Apr. 2025
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The film was primarily shot in AlUla, the swathe of northwest Saudi Arabia comprising ancient artifacts, a lush oasis and sandstone canyons that’s becoming a burgeoning local film production hub.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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There’s no shortage of wealth moving to Frankfurt, either, with the German city capitalizing on London’s tarnished reputation as a money-making mecca since Brexit.—
Zoë Dare Hall,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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The Neales described the Smoke Freaks headquarters as a mecca for barbecuing, grilling and smoking with 24 different pieces of equipment, from a big Texas offset smoker to 55-gallon metal drums.—
Anna Ortiz,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Kansas City Star (660) 254-1083 Kendrick Calfee covers breaking news for The Kansas City Star with a focus on public safety.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
17 Apr. 2025
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Moving the focus to North America, Someone Lives Here follows Toronto carpenter Khaleel Seivwright, who builds tiny shelters for unhoused people during the pandemic and faces pushback from city officials.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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While Trump retains strong support from his base, his approval among swing voters has eroded.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
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The Challenger was also discontinued in 2023, but Ford still makes the Mustang for 2025, with a base 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine making 315 horsepower and a zero-to-60 time of 4.5 seconds.—
Karl Brauer,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Telomeres at the ends of chromosomes, threadlike structures of DNA found in each cell’s nucleus, serve as a biomarker of aging.—
Discover Magazine,
Discover Magazine,
18 Apr. 2025
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These experiments would use Rydberg atoms, which are energized atoms with electrons that roam very far from their nuclei.—
Shalma Wegsman,
Quanta Magazine,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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General manager Chris Drury has to make decisions involving his coach, his core and the players in supporting roles.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
18 Apr. 2025
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At the core of Villanueva’s challenge was the argument that how Kansas seats jurors in death penalty cases – a process called death qualification – skews capital trials.—
Jonathan Shorman,
Kansas City Star,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ground zero.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ground%20zero. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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