1
as in source
a point or place at which something is invented or provided
he insists that insecurity is the root of all jealousy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in origin
the source from which something grows or develops
one would need to go back at least several hundred years to find the root of the entrenched hostility between the neighboring nations
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in foundation
an immaterial thing upon which something else rests
an implicit trust in the wisdom of the people is the root of democracy
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in core
the central part or aspect of something under consideration
at root, it's a question of the proper limits, if any, of free speech
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to embed
to set solidly in or as if in surrounding matter
rooted the post securely in the dirt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of root
Keonna Yearwood-Branch, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 June 2026
The Plant's Root System Hyman says one of the most important nutrients needed for tomato plants to survive is oxygen, found via ample spacing in the root system.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 11 June 2026
Phil Plait, Scientific American, 12 June 2026
Those values are rooted in the traditions from FDR to JFK to Barack Obama, and yes, to her father, Bob Graham.
—Sofia Baltodano, Miami Herald, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for root
Noun
Over the past few years, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida has been exploring how these challenges impact financial stability and food insecurity in our neighborhoods — surveying more than 250 community members and leading round-table discussions to get to the root of the problem.
—Keonna Yearwood-Branch, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 June 2026
The Plant's Root System Hyman says one of the most important nutrients needed for tomato plants to survive is oxygen, found via ample spacing in the root system.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 11 June 2026
Verb
Camera networks can be used to root through all the various meteors seen and determine which ones belong to what shower.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 12 June 2026
Those values are rooted in the traditions from FDR to JFK to Barack Obama, and yes, to her father, Bob Graham.
—Sofia Baltodano, Miami Herald, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for root
Recent Examples of Synonyms for root
Noun
-
Bregman, two league sources said, could be a potential back-up plan for Toronto if the Jays fail to sign Tucker or Bichette.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
10 Dec. 2025
-
He was reportedly shot and is in hiding, a source told the Miami Herald.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
10 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The meat of the documentary is the different SNL presidents talking about their individual impressions, their origins and their causally unprovable impacts on the perception of those presidents.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
10 June 2026
-
In late May, last week, a USTR delegation led by Deputy Ambassador Jeff Goettman traveled to Mexico to talk about economic security and rules of origin for certain industrial goods, and a Mexican trade delegation is slated to visit Washington next week to discuss the trade of agricultural products.—
Kate Nishimura,
Footwear News,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
They're meant to be mixed with another product—typically, either moisturizer or foundation, depending on your preference.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
11 Dec. 2025
-
The foundation started in 2019 as a single Christmas tree lighting in the 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District and now extends to serve other Kansas City communities during the holidays.—
Mara Williams,
Kansas City Star,
11 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The company credited that pace to the core technology stack already powering its commercial aircraft.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
11 June 2026
-
The collection is produced in extremely limited quantities, spotlighting the uniqueness of each material while maintaining the exclusivity at the core of the collaboration.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Once a specialized capability, AI is now being seamlessly integrated into systems and embedded in nearly every domain.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
-
Wildland firefighters said having medical professionals embedded with crews is a major advantage, especially when fires are burning in remote terrain where help can be hours away.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Back inside the booth, Wynne places the receiver gently back into its cradle.—
Itay Hod,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
-
Its sheer red sandstone cliffs, carved over millions of years, cradle ancient cliff dwellings and rock art that tell stories of the ancestral Puebloans.—
Alia Beard Rau,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Parts of the Dolphin Expressway are scheduled to close at the beginning of the weekend for construction work, the Florida Department of Transportation said.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
11 Dec. 2025
-
Instead, the Senate is expected to vote on two partisan bills and defeat them both — essentially guaranteeing that many who buy their health insurance on the ACA marketplaces see a steep rise in costs at the beginning of the year.—
Mary Clare Jalonick,
Fortune,
11 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
While there was movement on the bases for both starters, the game lulled until the seventh.—
Liana Handler
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
-
Chicago trailed 4-3 in the ninth inning before Pedro Ramírez hit an RBI single off Seth Halvorsen with the bases loaded and nobody out.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Root.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/root. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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