1
as in sources
a point or place at which something is invented or provided
he insists that insecurity is the root of all jealousy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in origins
the source from which something grows or develops
one would need to go back at least several hundred years to find the root of the entrenched hostility between the neighboring nations
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in foundations
an immaterial thing upon which something else rests
an implicit trust in the wisdom of the people is the root of democracy
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in essences
the central part or aspect of something under consideration
at root, it's a question of the proper limits, if any, of free speech
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in embeds
to set solidly in or as if in surrounding matter
rooted the post securely in the dirt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of roots
Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
What’s more, onions and other alliums have natural antibacterial properties that may inhibit the nitrogen-fixing bacteria on the roots of legume plants.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2026
Yokohamabashi Shotengai Wander through this lively produce market, eyeing giant roots of fresh wasabi and pyramids of ripe persimmons.
—Kim Kay, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026
Previous emcees have had direct Broadway roots.
—Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
The larger, at 31 Pratt, is the former headquarters of Society for Savings, an old-line bank whose roots stretched back to 1819.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026
Hip hop’s roots can be traced back to block parties hosted by Bambaataa in the South Bronx during the 1970s.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
Mars enters Aries and your zone of home and roots today.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
Those roots deepened in 2024, when five of Sediqa’s colleagues formed a sponsor group through the United States Refugee Admissions Program, bringing our family together after three years apart.
—Sediqa Fahimi, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Mar. 2026
Louisiana dirty rice is a tasty meat-and-rice dish that roots its flavor in aromatic Cajun seasoning and the holy trinity vegetables.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2026
For Pritchard, whose Stanford roots date back to 2005, the chance to return as head coach was both emotional and deeply personal.
—Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025
Natural rock formations rise through the living room floor, a detail that roots the design in the hillside itself, and a full renovation of an existing home brought it in line with the style of the main house while still maintaining its own identity.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
Rising seas could swallow the land that roots our identity.
—Feleti Penitala Teo, Time, 22 Sep. 2025
In a strong culture, everyone roots their daily decisions in a desire to be in it to win it; there's a sense of ownership, pride and belonging.
—Alex Brueckmann, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
As well, his longstanding appreciation of country music roots his art in respect and reverence of the genre's history.
—Marcus K. Dowling, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
The fish fry traces its roots back to 2021, when Robinson, founder of The Applesauce Group, a nonprofit that works to empower historically excluded communities, began hosting small gatherings during the uncertainty of the pandemic.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
What’s more, onions and other alliums have natural antibacterial properties that may inhibit the nitrogen-fixing bacteria on the roots of legume plants.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2026
Yokohamabashi Shotengai Wander through this lively produce market, eyeing giant roots of fresh wasabi and pyramids of ripe persimmons.
—Kim Kay, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026
Previous emcees have had direct Broadway roots.
—Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
The larger, at 31 Pratt, is the former headquarters of Society for Savings, an old-line bank whose roots stretched back to 1819.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026
Hip hop’s roots can be traced back to block parties hosted by Bambaataa in the South Bronx during the 1970s.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
Mars enters Aries and your zone of home and roots today.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
Those roots deepened in 2024, when five of Sediqa’s colleagues formed a sponsor group through the United States Refugee Admissions Program, bringing our family together after three years apart.
—Sediqa Fahimi, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
Minibars feature a custom bourbon blend from local distillery Jacob Rieger & Company, a thoughtful touch that roots the experience in Missouri.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Mar. 2026
Louisiana dirty rice is a tasty meat-and-rice dish that roots its flavor in aromatic Cajun seasoning and the holy trinity vegetables.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2026
For Pritchard, whose Stanford roots date back to 2005, the chance to return as head coach was both emotional and deeply personal.
—Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025
Natural rock formations rise through the living room floor, a detail that roots the design in the hillside itself, and a full renovation of an existing home brought it in line with the style of the main house while still maintaining its own identity.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
Rising seas could swallow the land that roots our identity.
—Feleti Penitala Teo, Time, 22 Sep. 2025
In a strong culture, everyone roots their daily decisions in a desire to be in it to win it; there's a sense of ownership, pride and belonging.
—Alex Brueckmann, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
As well, his longstanding appreciation of country music roots his art in respect and reverence of the genre's history.
—Marcus K. Dowling, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for roots
Noun
-
The sources described this as a discussion about how to launch direct talks.—
Brian Dakss,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The couple's adult children from previous relationships are meeting this weekend, sources told TMZ.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The origins of the film, like the film itself, lay in both personal and cinematic history.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The festival's origins stretch back to the Roman festival of Floralia, which was held to celebrate the goddess of spring and fertility and has been reinvented numerous times in the centuries that followed, according to the National Trust.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The foundations are in place, but the priority now is execution—at speed and at scale.—
Pandu Sjahrir,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Many imitation almond extracts or essences rely on synthetic benzaldehyde for flavor, which can create saccharine notes that overpower delicate desserts like custards, sponges, or pastry creams.—
Emily Saladino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Store shelves are packed with serums, toners, essences and exfoliants — all promising transformative results.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The approach embeds motion directly into the material rather than adding mechanical joints later.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Unlike traditional telemedicine platforms, Tala’s technology embeds AI agents directly into clinical workflows.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In the sweet video, Steinfeld lifts her black sweatshirt to reveal her baby bump, which her husband then kisses and cradles; the two frolic in the snow looking so in love.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Cellphone mounts or cradles allow people to access their mobile devices at all times.—
Rachel Swan,
San Francisco Chronicle,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Near the beginnings of our respective careers, we were separately introduced to one such cocktail that seemed like the height of sophistication to young, budding industry professionals.—
Jerry & Krista Slater,
AJC.com,
12 Apr. 2026
-
From its single-truck beginnings, Piece of Cake has expanded into a national operation with hubs in major cities including New York, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Dallas.—
NIa Bowers,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The young girl was found wearing a pink coat, a pink sweater with hearts, pink Minnie Mouse pants, and Hello Kitty shoes.—
Darius Johnson,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Her extraordinary musical journey, spanning decades, enriched our cultural heritage and touched countless hearts across the world.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Roots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roots. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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