Synonyms of root

root 1 of 2

noun

ˈrüt 

1

as in source

a point or place at which something is invented or provided

he insists that insecurity is the root of all jealousy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• source
• origin
• cradle
• fountain
• font
• beginning
• spring
• wellspring
• commencement
• fountainhead
• genesis
• well
• start
• seedbed
• inception
• incipiency
• outset
• day one
• onset
• launch
• kickoff
• ground zero
• baseline
• threshold
• first base
• incipience
• git-go
• dawn
• square one
• nascence
• get-go
• nascency
• morning

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

• origin
• beginning
• seed
• germ
• genesis
• start
• font
• origination
• inception
• fountain
• fountainhead
• spring
• launch
• commencement
• seedbed
• birth
• outset
• onset
• well
• creation
• dawn
• threshold
• wellspring
• incipiency
• wellhead
• inauguration
• morning

3

as in foundation

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

• foundation
• basis
• bedrock
• cornerstone
• base
• ground
• justification
• core
• keystone
• support
• footing
• groundwork
• bottom
• warp
• essence
• premise
• theory
• underpinning
• kernel
• focus
• framework
• warp and woof
• heart
• center
• mount
• infrastructure
• assumption
• backbone
• substratum
• shore
• prop
• rationale
• anchorage
• stay
• bed
• thesis
• substructure
• presumption
• brace
• hub
• bulwark
• warrant
• nucleus
• buttress
• seat
• presupposition
• premiss
• soul
• supposition
• eye
• touchstone
• quintessence

4

as in kernel

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

• kernel
• core
• essence
• heart
• point
• sum
• meat
• nucleus
• pivot
• crux
• pith
• nub
• bottom line
• sum and substance
• gist
• net
• subject
• theme
• centerpiece
• the long and short
• direction
• tenor
• keynote
• substance
• nubbin
• content
• meat and potatoes
• bull's-eye
• the long and the short
• course
• body
• drift
• thesis
• hypothesis
• proposition
• purport

root

2 of 2

verb

as in to embed

to set solidly in or as if in surrounding matter

rooted the post securely in the dirt

Synonyms & Similar Words

• embed
• lodge
• imbed
• entrench
• impact
• intrench
• implant
• fix
• place
• engrain
• bed
• put
• stick
• enroot
• ingrain
• infuse
• instill
• imbue
• beat (into)
• establish
• drive (into)
• settle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• eliminate
• dislodge
• eradicate
• root (out)
• uproot
• remove
• expel
• eject
• disconnect
• detach
• disengage

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

Recent Examples of root

Noun

Understanding the context and motivations allows both partners to address the root cause. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025

The cause of the power surge was still under investigation, with crews looking into faulty breakers, transformers, or possible power surges as a potential root cause. —Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 31 July 2025

Verb

Remove any lower leaves, keeping two or three sets at the top of the piece, and dip the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone powder if desired. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 27 July 2025

Portions removed can be rooted after the cuts air dry for a day or two. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2025

Phrases Containing root

• root (out)