Thesaurus results for GROUND ZERO

ground zero

noun

Definition of ground zero

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of ground zero Sanders is nonetheless arriving in Michigan with national Democrats more determined than ever to steer the party in a more pragmatic direction, effectively making the state ground zero for a proxy fight over progressive politics. — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 19 July 2026 At the time, school board meetings nationwide were ground zero for culture war battles over LGBTQ policies, wearing masks and book bans. — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026 The game was a scapegoat for the 1999 Columbine High School shooting in Colorado, ground zero of America’s ongoing nightmare. — Steven Johnson, Washington Post, 14 July 2026 Pepper plays Coach, a former NYPD police officer and 9/11 first responder suffering from leukemia, a result of his work at ground zero. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ground zero

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ground zero

Noun

Iran has issued a list of concessions the US must make in order for the vital Strait of Hormuz to be reopened, once again bringing the waterway center-stage in Tehran’s dealings with Washington.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
His early memories center on 2005’s Axis of Evil tour, during which Ahmed Ahmed, Maz Jobrani, Aron Kader, and Dean Obeidallah set out to contend with an American public still living under the cloud of the World Trade Center attack.

— Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of center

Noun

The power company said the attack resulted in outages across the southern parts of the city, which is located about 47 kilometers (about 30 miles) west of the capital Tripoli.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
The 34-year-old returned to a hero’s welcome in his nation’s capital of Mogadishu following his denial of entry to the US.

— Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of capital

Noun

The city is an important oil refining hub, home to two refineries and a petrochemical plant.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
In Salisbury, which has become a hub for Haitians who work in nearby factories and farms, ICE recently started detaining people in parking lots and other areas immigrants frequent, according to Fouché of Safe Harbor Circles.

— Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of hub

Noun

The popular theatre was a cultural mecca that drew thousands to its operas, ballets and other public events, and hosted legendary greats including Maria Callas and Franco Zeffirelli.

— Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
The long-standing problem is that Skid Row is both a social service center and a mecca of drugs and other vices, with traps on every block.

— Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of mecca

Noun

Moving away from a retrospective punishment mechanism appealed to Portsmouth too, as did the shift to a focus on liquidity, something which meshes with the aims of the independent football regulator, which recently came into operation in England.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
In the last few years, Penn State’s singular focus – to win a national championship – clouded everything else.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of focus

Noun

Even the base Luxury King and Luxury Two Queen weigh in at around 650 square feet, with a step-down living area that makes work trips feel less like working out of your bedroom.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
At first base during the second half, the Mets have mostly started Young, who has played well.

— Will Sammon, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of base

Noun

Zillions of electrons from atoms that make up Earth’s atmosphere get temporarily bounced away from the nucleus of zillions and zillions of atoms.

— Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 9 Aug. 2026
All that would be visible would be the nucleus, looking very much like all the other little red dots.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of nucleus

Noun

Instead, having a consistent, longer-term core should help Carrick further develop this United side’s tactical identity, improve the players already at his disposal, and allow cohesion and team spirit to grow naturally.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
Chapman, 33, should know Monday the severity of a hernia and a core muscle tear in his right abdomen.

— Devin Bradshaw, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of core

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groundworks

ground zero

ground zeros

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Style

“Ground zero.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ground%20zero. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of ground zero

noun

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