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

The storm also uprooted trees, downed power lines and damaged other buildings. — CBS News, "Newborn baby killed, dozens injured when tornado strikes North Dakota city," 11 July 2018 Not far from the downtown post office, a large tree was uprooted and a home lost a few small trees, some shingles and had some minor siding damage. — Susan Demar Lafferty, Daily Southtown, "Tornado damage closes Manhattan post office," 27 June 2018 This forced separation drastically complicates the lives of children who, having been uprooted from their homes, are already anxious and distressed. — Oscar J. Benavidez, STAT, "Separating families at the border isn’t just bad policy — it’s horrible for children’s health," 19 June 2018 As a precaution, the weed was uprooted and removed. — National Geographic, "What Is Hogweed, the Invading Plant That Burns and Blinds?," 19 June 2018 The Railway Children: Three siblings and their mother are uprooted from their comfortable London lives when their father is falsely accused of being a spy. — Chris Ball, cleveland.com, "Daniel Day-Lewis in 'Phantom Thread,' new on DVD and Blu-ray (review)," 8 Apr. 2018 Jackson said that arrangement does not provide would-be principals enough job security to uproot their families. — Perry Stein, Washington Post, "Four challenged D.C. schools are getting new principals. But do school leaders want to work here?," 30 June 2018 Notions of college scholarships or professional glory often dance in the backs — or fronts — of parental minds, with some uprooting the entire family to give their kids a leg up. — Jane E. Brody, Houston Chronicle, "How to avoid burnout in youth sports," 7 May 2018 New York’s Lower Hudson Valley was poised to bear the brunt of the latest snowstorm, even as thousands remained without power after a storm Friday knocked down trees and power lines and uprooted families across the region. — Melanie Grayce West And Joseph De Avila, WSJ, "Northeast Braces for Next Storm as Thousands Still Without Power," 6 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.