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
For 30 years, Hal’s Bar and Grill was ground zero for a burgeoning Venice scene on the street that in 1990 was renamed from West Washington to Abbot Kinney Boulevard.
—Brad Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2025
The reporters quickly figured out that ground zero for RainbowEx was the work force at Papel Prensa, a paper factory and the country’s largest newsprint supplier.
—David Segal, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Latin America, with its high levels of stablecoin adoption, solid talent base and crypto-friendly macro conditions has proven to be ground zero for these solutions.
—Aaron Stanley, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ground zero
Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Feb. 2025
For 30 years, Hal’s Bar and Grill was ground zero for a burgeoning Venice scene on the street that in 1990 was renamed from West Washington to Abbot Kinney Boulevard.
—Brad Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2025
The reporters quickly figured out that ground zero for RainbowEx was the work force at Papel Prensa, a paper factory and the country’s largest newsprint supplier.
—David Segal, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Latin America, with its high levels of stablecoin adoption, solid talent base and crypto-friendly macro conditions has proven to be ground zero for these solutions.
—Aaron Stanley, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ground zero
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ground zero
Noun
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While most campaigns historically focused on physical infrastructure, many now include less visible priorities: legal clinics, policy centers, and public interest litigation units.—
Michelle Mbekeani,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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The spacious floor plan has a living room that’ll comfortably fit a couch, coffee table, entertainment center, and even a dining table for hosting.—
Toni Sutton,
People.com,
1 June 2025
Noun
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When employee voices lead, credibility flows through existing social capital—creating influence that brand channels can’t match.—
Brittany Garlin,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
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Perhaps most importantly, the Yankees wouldn't have to give up much prospect capital to add him.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
Noun
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With more than 300 employees and offices in California, Illinois, Florida, and India — as well as regional hubs in New York, New Jersey, Texas, and Arizona — IDIQ continues to scale its reach while staying rooted in its original vision.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
4 June 2025
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Known for its poultry slaughterhouses, Gainesville is now a manufacturing hub where startups can find engineers and greenfield sites.—
Patrik Jonsson,
Christian Science Monitor,
3 June 2025
Noun
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The century-old hotel is famous for its Spanish colonial revival design, and longtime denizens still proudly reference its history as a mecca of Black music after World War II, when the likes of James Brown and Billie Holiday played its famous club.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
2 June 2025
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Known as a mecca for watersports, everyone pauses to bask in the brilliant purples, pinks, and oranges that splash into the sky as the late afternoon transitions to evening.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
24 May 2025
Noun
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After learning that Jax hadn’t paid their mortgage in over three months and signed a lease on an apartment from rehab, Brittany, 36, set her focus on stability for their 4-year-old son, Cruz.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
4 June 2025
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Some phonics has been taught in the district for years, but a new focus on phonics was recently adopted.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2025
Noun
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It’s estimated that the Aerospace and Defense industry has around 2.2 million employees, representing 1.4% of the total U.S. employment base, according to the Aerospace Industries Association.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
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With each tightening, my insides barrel down to the base of my pelvis.—
Erica Stern
June 9,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2025
Noun
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These gathered into the nuclei of hydrogen, helium, and lithium atoms.—
Philip Ball,
Wired News,
8 June 2025
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One set, stored in the nucleus, acts like an instruction manual that guides most of the cell’s activities.—
Elay Shech,
The Conversation,
30 May 2025
Noun
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None of the league’s top 25 players by Instagram followers—including Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and James Harden, three core members of OKC’s last Finals team in 2012—made deep playoff runs this spring.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
4 June 2025
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Sub tropical storms have generally cold cores, and are often associated with upper level low pressure areas, with the highest winds farther away from the center, unlike a tropical storm where the most intense winds are found at the center.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ground zero.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ground%20zero. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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