uproot

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verb up·root \(ˌ)əp-ˈrüt, -ˈru̇t\

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

uprootedness

noun

uprooter

noun

See uproot defined for English-language learners

See uproot defined for kids

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 of uproot from the Web

But the plans immediately went awry in a vast, messy and violent exchange of populations that left at least 1m dead and 15m uprooted from their homes.

— The Economist, "Hissing cousinsWhy India and Pakistan hate each other," 22 July 2017
The county uprooted any bromeliads on public land, but the battle against private ownership continues.

— devi shastri, jsonline.com, "In Miami, officials prepare for a new mosquito season – and brace for a return of Zika," 13 July 2017
Prior to that, both worked for FICO on software to uproot credit card fraud.

— mike freeman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "2 fraud veterans found start-up to fight auto lending scams," 6 July 2017
But, more significantly, the plants are usually uprooted in the looters’ haste to pick as much as possible and be off undetected.

— costas kantouris, The Seattle Times, "Looters strip Greek mountains of wild tea, rare plants," 2 July 2017
A five-year contract would have solidified him as Mr. Clipper and prevented his family from being uprooted, a key variable that was invariably mentioned during pre-trade analysis.

— ben golliver, SI.com, "Chris Paul Bets His NBA Career On The Rockets," 29 June 2017
Because the entire community of Michilimackinac was uprooted in the late 18th century, archaeologists rarely unearth large, intact objects like the lock.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Lock Dating to Revolutionary War Period Found at Michigan Fort," 26 June 2017
The first landing broke limbs, uprooted and snapped trees along Fifth Street North, between U.S. Highway 11 and Avenue A. The tornado then traveled northeast and created more damage along Interstate 20/59 and U.S. 11.

— jonece starr dunigan, AL.com, "NWS meteorologists reduce Fairfield tornado from EF-2 to EF-1," 23 June 2017
When main character, Nick, decides to uproot his life and spend a year abroad studying, he is forced to confront his feelings about his past and present, his place in the world, and his sexuality.

— judith utz, Teen Vogue, "Best Queer Books to Celebrate Pride 2017," 20 June 2017

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.

First Known Use of uproot

circa 1620

Synonym Discussion of 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

UPROOT Defined for English Language Learners

uproot

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verb

Definition of uproot for English Language Learners

: to pull (a plant and its root) completely out of the ground
: to remove (something) completely
: to make (someone) leave home and move to a different place

UPROOT Defined for Kids

uproot

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verb up·root \ˌəp-ˈrüt, -ˈru̇t\

Definition of uproot for Students

uprooted

;

uprooting

1 : to take out by or as if by pulling up by the roots Many trees were uprooted by the storm.
2 : to take, send, or force away from a country or a traditional home Taking the job would mean moving and uprooting the family.