root out
phrasal verb
rooted out; rooting out; roots out
1
: to find and remove (something or someone)
The mayor was determined to root out corruption in city government.
2
: to find (something or someone) after searching for a long time
He finally rooted out the cause of the problem.
Examples of root out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In a January memo about the new policy, USCIS argues more thorough reviews are necessary to root out fraud in the system, and that any delays are worthwhile to ensure national security.
—
Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 12 Feb. 2026
States now have increased incentive to root out food stamp fraud.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
The law requires firms based in Germany employing a minimum of 3,000 people to perform at least one risk analysis a year of their own business activities and those of their direct suppliers to root out risks related to worker rights and the environment.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 3 Feb. 2026
McDonald, whose nomination will require Senate approval, will be tasked with overseeing a new division dedicated to rooting out fraud against the government.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for root out
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Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 12 Feb. 2026
States now have increased incentive to root out food stamp fraud.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
The law requires firms based in Germany employing a minimum of 3,000 people to perform at least one risk analysis a year of their own business activities and those of their direct suppliers to root out risks related to worker rights and the environment.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 3 Feb. 2026
McDonald, whose nomination will require Senate approval, will be tasked with overseeing a new division dedicated to rooting out fraud against the government.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for root out
Cite this Entry
“Root out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/root%20out. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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