at the root of

idiom

: the reason for (something)
Simple greed was at the root of the robbery.

Examples of at the root of in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Indeed, habits are at the root of success, but also of failure. Xavier Preterit, Forbes, 3 May 2023 Conflict or problem-based reporting is always at the root of journalism. Isabella Volmert, Dallas News, 29 Apr. 2023 Sylvia Sierra, an assistant professor of communication and rhetorical studies at Syracuse University, said that sexism and misogyny are at the root of why heteronormative men often balk at being called a feminine term. Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC News, 23 Apr. 2023 The energy of uncertainty is at the root of all your forms of anxiety. Julia Digangi, Fortune Well, 29 Aug. 2023 Working conditions, including health and safety concerns and time off, have also been at the root of many recent strikes. Jasmine Kerrissey, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2023 Quetzal turns 30: For decades, art and activism has been at the root of East L.A. Chicano rock group Quetzal. Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2023 Stanfield searches desperately for his wife, and realizes witches might be at the root of his problems. Mckinley Franklin, Variety, 9 Aug. 2023 Recognizing the thinking error at the root of climate change denial could disarm objections to climate research and make science the basis of our efforts to preserve a hospitable environment for our future. Jeremy P. Shapiro, The Conversation, 2 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'at the root of.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Dictionary Entries Near at the root of

Cite this Entry

“At the root of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20the%20root%20of. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.

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