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
Sweden, Germany and Lithuania all launched criminal investigations last week, zeroing in on Chinese bulk carrier Yi Peng 3, which left the Russian port of Ust-Luga on Nov. 15.
—
Reuters, NBC News, 27 Nov. 2024
The technology could zero in on one spot in a cell’s genome, and then either snip out or insert new DNA.
Dr. Shendure and his colleagues set out to use CRISPR to record a cell’s history.
—Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Past hearings have zeroed in on terrorist threats, violent extremists, cyberattacks and more.
—Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
Working with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, investigators zeroed in on the heads of multiple drug trafficking organizations within the state and in Mexico who were responsible for importing bulk fentanyl pills, fentanyl powder, methamphetamines, heroin and cocaine, police detailed.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for zero in on 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Reuters, NBC News, 27 Nov. 2024
The technology could zero in on one spot in a cell’s genome, and then either snip out or insert new DNA.
Dr. Shendure and his colleagues set out to use CRISPR to record a cell’s history.
—Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Past hearings have zeroed in on terrorist threats, violent extremists, cyberattacks and more.
—Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
Working with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, investigators zeroed in on the heads of multiple drug trafficking organizations within the state and in Mexico who were responsible for importing bulk fentanyl pills, fentanyl powder, methamphetamines, heroin and cocaine, police detailed.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for zero in on
Dictionary Entries Near 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 3 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share