root 1 of 2

1
2
as in origin
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

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root

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word root distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of root are inception, origin, and source. While all these words mean "the point at which something begins its course or existence," root suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily discerned.

the real root of the violence

When would inception be a good substitute for root?

While the synonyms inception and root are close in meaning, inception stresses the beginning of something without implying causes.

the business has been a success since its inception

When is it sensible to use origin instead of root?

The synonyms origin and root are sometimes interchangeable, but origin applies to the things or persons from which something is ultimately derived and often to the causes operating before the thing itself comes into being.

an investigation into the origin of baseball

Where would source be a reasonable alternative to root?

In some situations, the words source and root are roughly equivalent. However, source applies more often to the point where something springs into being.

the source of the Nile
the source of recurrent trouble

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of root
Noun
Warm hard wax is applied, then removed quickly to remove hair from the root. Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 25 June 2025 The moisture that has already been absorbed by the soil will pull the additional water down more quickly to the roots. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 25 June 2025
Verb
As a former president of the L.A. Chelsea Blues, an official chapter of the Chelsea FC supporters in England, Lee would have never imagined getting to see her club play a competitive match in the U.S. without rooting her head off. Josh Gross, Oc Register, 15 June 2025 The conclusions the film comes to are rooted, at least nominally, in catharsis, but this is far more often expressed in dialogue than through behavior, or tangible emotional transformation. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for root
Recent Examples of Synonyms for root
Noun
  • Open source robotics with a strong community focus Everything about the BHL robot is open source.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
  • Democracy in Action has kept the source of its funding secret.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Meanwhile, Claire and Owen are raising Maisie, keeping her as under-the-radar as possible, lest she be found and experimented on by scientists enthralled by her unique origin.
    Will Harris, EW.com, 27 June 2025
  • Enthralling and sleekly devious, this book is also a lyrical reflection on both the origin and the fate of our species.
    Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • May is the time to invest wisely, delegate responsibly, and set the foundations of your kingdom.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
  • The Foundations Of IoT: Leveraging Data The foundation of IoT predates modern commercial offerings.
    Thomas Ryd, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • This delicious salad is packed with bold flavor thanks to smoky-spiced corn kernels and a jalapeño ranch dressing, perfectly balanced by bites of creamy avocado and crisp romaine.
    Ronny Maye, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • While bacon cooks, remove kernels from corn cobs and place in a large bowl.
    Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • The event is also streaming on the PBS app, PBS.org and on PBS’ YouTube channel, which is embedded below.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
  • Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also was televised in a ballistic vest joining 90 ICE officers in an operation that targeted immigrants with criminal records in New York City but also netted several without criminal histories, according to CBS News, which embedded in the raid.
    Daniel Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • When the handset was resting on the cradle, the line was closed.
    Larry Magid, Mercury News, 3 July 2025
  • To borrow from Walt Whitman, the Mooch is out of the cradle, endlessly rocking.
    Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • From acorn-sized beginnings to its towering oak tree proportions today, the concept of Citizenship by Investment (CIP) in the Caribbean has developed into a dependable source of foreign capital for countries.
    Jared Mccallister, New York Daily News, 5 July 2025
  • Bayern Munich have won the Champions League on six separate occasions while PSG finally got over the line this season with a stunning 5-0 win over Inter Milan that could mark the beginning of an era of dominance for the French giants.
    Darren Richman, New York Times, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • As technology continues to rapidly advance and new tools are released on a consistent basis, determining how to best tackle cybersecurity threats and a lack of regulations for AI use is essential to keeping sensitive information and valuable IP safe for the long term.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Kavanaugh also noted that the Administrative Procedures Act remains an avenue for plaintiffs to bring challenges to presidential policies on a nationwide basis.
    Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Root.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/root. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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