root 1 of 2

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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
Mint Hill is a thriving and desirable suburb with deep community roots and strong civic foundations. Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025 Watering too frequently can affect the root system and encourage weeds. Lauren David, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
Pinch off any lower leaves and dip the cut end into rooting hormone. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2025 These sections root the story’s cosmic dread in America’s historical rot, and the Muschiettis, Fuchs, and Kane envision a three-season project around this material, each set in a different era. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for root
Recent Examples of Synonyms for root
Noun
  • As various ancient sources recount, after Achilles is killed by Paris, the Greeks resort to deception.
    Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
  • In the midst of tragedy came a small offering of knowledge from an unsuspecting source.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Others believe a different origin story.
    Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Uruguay origins The conference dates back to 2016 and is usually held in Punta del Este in the North American fall.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • As part of its tax-exempt status, the foundation is prohibited from endorsing political candidates and, generally, must be nonpartisan in its activities.
    Bill Barrow, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Michelle encourages people to not just wear the color pink or purchase products at the register, but to ensure the foundations and organizations receiving your money actually use it to support breast cancer research.
    Ariel Nagi, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Toss the crispy gnocchi with lots of sweet, fresh corn kernels, prepared pesto and a hefty sprinkle of grated cheese, and broil until the cheese gets bubbly, gooey and slightly charred in spots.
    The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
  • But critics say the memo builds on kernels of truth before veering into unscientific fringe theories.
    Stephanie Armour, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • That collaboration will see PayPal embedded into the Google Cloud Conversational Agent tool and its Agent Development Kit, both of which allow merchants to leverage their own consumer-facing agent functions for shopping.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 28 Oct. 2025
  • But in military settings, where the stakes are life and death and the bureaucracy is immovable, big ideas are only as good as your ability to embed them in existing systems.
    Big Think, Big Think, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The same technology’s feasibility should also be assessed under different climate zones, and full life cycle assessments (cradle-to-grave) of GS are a necessity for a better understanding of the technology’s merits and limits, researchers noted.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The town is also the cradle of the popular Mexican Tecate beer and boasts remarkable natural landscapes.
    Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Teasing the new season at the beginning of the first episode, which dropped on Thursday, the entrepreneur and reality star is seen going into an MRI scanner with her head appearing to be bandaged.
    Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The embezzlement accusations would turn out to be just the beginning of Ozer’s troubles.
    Steve Belanger, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • And unlike pricier Dyson or Shark models, this lightweight powerhouse covers all the same bases for $150—now 25% off ahead of Black Friday.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
  • The Los Angeles Dodgers announced two-way star Shohei Ohtani's 12 total bases in Monday's Game 3 are a franchise World Series record.
    Valentina Martinez, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Root.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/root. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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