Synonyms of uproot

uproot

verb

(ˌ)əp-ˈrüt 

as in to pry

to draw out by force or with effort

uprooted the old bridge's pilings upon the completion of its replacement

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pry
• pull
• yank
• extract
• pluck
• remove
• tear (out)
• wrest
• prize
• take (out)
• root (out)
• wring
• withdraw
• corkscrew
• mine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• install
• insert
• instill
• implant
• stuff
• ram
• jam
• cram
• wedge

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb uproot differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of uproot are eradicate, exterminate, and extirpate. While all these words mean "to effect the destruction or abolition of something," uproot implies a forcible or violent removal and stresses displacement or dislodgment rather than immediate destruction.

the war uprooted thousands

In what contexts can eradicate take the place of uproot?

While in some cases nearly identical to uproot, eradicate implies the driving out or elimination of something that has established itself.

a campaign to eradicate illiteracy

When is it sensible to use exterminate instead of uproot?

The words exterminate and uproot can be used in similar contexts, but exterminate implies complete and immediate extinction by killing off all individuals.

exterminate cockroaches

When would extirpate be a good substitute for uproot?

The synonyms extirpate and uproot are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of uproot

They had been jailed for protesting, organizing, or fighting against Bashar Assad’s regime, which finally collapsed in December after nearly 14 years of revolution and counter-revolutionary war that killed hundreds of thousands of people and uprooted half the population. —Robin Yassin-Kassab, Time, 17 Sep. 2025

One millennial marketing specialist, Lukas Yla, was having difficulty landing a Silicon Valley job after uprooting his life from Lithuania to San Francisco. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025

Department of Defense officials have estimated beyond being a benefit for families who are uprooted less often, there could be a $5 billion annual cost savings for taxpayers. —Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025

The Power Of Conversation Of the over 100 people employed at the Winston-Salem facility, most had never left North Carolina, let alone considered uprooting their lives. —Marie Quintana, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025