uproot

verb

up·root | \ (ˌ)əp-ˈrüt

, -ˈru̇t

uprooted; uprooting; uproots

Definition of uproot

transitive verb

1 : to remove as if by pulling up

2 : to pull up by the roots

3 : to displace from a country or traditional habitat

Other Words from uproot Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about uproot

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Choose the Right Synonym for uproot

exterminate, extirpate, eradicate, uproot mean to effect the destruction or abolition of something. exterminate implies complete and immediate extinction by killing off all individuals. exterminate cockroaches extirpate implies extinction of a race, family, species, or sometimes an idea or doctrine by destruction or removal of its means of propagation. many species have been extirpated from the area eradicate implies the driving out or elimination of something that has established itself. a campaign to eradicate illiteracy uproot implies a forcible or violent removal and stresses displacement or dislodgment rather than immediate destruction. the war uprooted thousands

Examples of uproot in a Sentence

Many trees were uprooted by the storm. Will we ever be able to uproot racial prejudice? Taking the job would mean uprooting my family.

Recent Examples on the Web

This sense of what lies ahead is what led me to uproot my life in New York and move my son and myself to Los Angeles. — John P. Darcy, Vogue, "The Year We Left New York," 27 Dec. 2018 There was only a vast sea of debris: wooden beams filled with nails, shattered toilets and glass, concrete rubble, uprooted trees, twisted power transformers. — Todd Pitman, Fox News, "AP WAS THERE: 2013 typhoon kills thousands in Philippines," 15 Sep. 2018 Torrential rains are one risk, but heavy winds can also compromise earthen dams by uprooting trees and causing voids. — Jon Kamp, WSJ, "As Hurricane Florence Looms, States Check Dam Integrity," 12 Sep. 2018 But Lane is currently sustaining 160 mph winds, which can destroy homes, uproot trees, and knock out power for months. — Brian Resnick, Vox, "Hawaii is facing a rare threat: a Category 5 hurricane," 22 Aug. 2018 With winds of 130 mph, the Category 4 storm ripped through trailers, uprooted trees, and tore the roofs off of homes. — Jim Defede, miamiherald, "'Millions of dollars of wasteful spending.' A look at Gov. Scott's post-Irma debris deals," 29 June 2018 Last year, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 68.5 million people were uprooted from their homes—the vast majority from developing countries. — Grant Cornett, Vogue, "The Rise of Refugee Cuisine—a Food-World Trend to Feel Good About," 17 Aug. 2018 Time and many others made a decision to suggest that this was an example of Trump uprooting our American ideals. — Aaron Blake, Washington Post, "Time magazine’s major mistake on the crying-girl cover," 22 June 2018 Smith told the Associated Press on Saturday, describing the scene in the coastal town near Boston where powerful waves dumped sand and rubble on roads and winds uprooted massive trees. — Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, "Crews work to restore power as Northeast braces for more bad weather following deadly nor'easter," 4 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'uproot.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.