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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Cartwright had been staying in the mill overnight with employees and armed reservists from the Cumberland militia, one of many military units dispatched to centers of unrest.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
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The former Los Angeles Sparks center had Lauren after joining the Los Angeles Sparks and was candid about the challenges of being a mother and professional athlete.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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 Cerrado is governed by much laxer environmental laws than the Amazon, and has become a major hub for soybean production.—
Sarah Sax,
The Atlantic,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The former garage is now considered the mecca of Milanese fashion.—
Meredith Lepore,
Robb Report,
6 Mar. 2025
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Critics of the loophole point to Walt Disney as among the first to take advantage of it decades ago when developing its tourist mecca of resorts and theme parks near Orlando.—
Josh Salman,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 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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The charms are at a significantly lower price point, and Macaulay is glad to be opening the brand up to a broader base.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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It’s built from a sturdy metal base with a solid wood and plywood frame and has a swivel design that rotates 360 degrees.—
Megan Schaltegger,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Re-signing Bichette, who's eligible for free agency at the end of this season, would give Toronto a nucleus to build around for years.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
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Previously, research has suggested the formation of the heaviest elements, such as gold, requires copious amounts of neutrons that atomic nuclei can absorb to become larger and larger.—
Charles Q. Choi,
Space.com,
7 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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Zero Waste Plant-Based Countertop Compost Bin $50 Zero Waste $49 $45 Wayfair Specs Made from biodegradable bamboo fiber, this lightweight one-gallon bin reads more like a Scandi bread box than something meant to house apple cores and onion skins.—
Bailey Berg,
Architectural Digest,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ground zero.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ground%20zero. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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