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
Relevance
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
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
4
as in core
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 to embed
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
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Recent Examples of root
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
On her roots, Scarlett went in with the Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ Dust It, ensuring there was a sufficient amount of texture and grip there before using a boar-bristle brush to separate the curls on the crown of her head and around the sides.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 29 Jan. 2026
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2026
In a film like this, you’re ostensibly meant to root against the terror that the central characters wrecks on his victims.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for root
Noun
By July 26, the North Node’s ingress into Aquarius shifts your soul’s focus toward emotional roots, home and stability.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
On her roots, Scarlett went in with the Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ Dust It, ensuring there was a sufficient amount of texture and grip there before using a boar-bristle brush to separate the curls on the crown of her head and around the sides.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
Although the temperature at which garden snakes begin to seek shelter varies by species, all snakes look for places such old animal burrows, compost piles, root holes in the soil, or under decks, rock walls, log piles, or decaying logs to spend the winter.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2026
In a film like this, you’re ostensibly meant to root against the terror that the central characters wrecks on his victims.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for root
Recent Examples of Synonyms for root
Noun
-
Venezuela was hardly an impartial source; nor was OPEC, of which Caracas was a founding member and to which the new numbers were officially reported.—
Scott Montgomery,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Later, sources told CNN the Justice Department stopped investigating the agent and federal authorities refused to share information with local investigators.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Maybe another working definition of folklore is a narrative with relatively wide acceptance but no clear origin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Yet the primary data required for compliance—fiber origin, material composition, chemical inputs—are generated and held upstream by suppliers and processors.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Their rosters almost all include a stable foundation of offensive weapons.—
Gladys Louise Tyler,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Using cranes, they will be stacked on the prepared foundation and assembled into an apartment complex that, once wrapped with a facade and landscaped, looks like any other, Peinemann said.—
Heather McRea,
Oc Register,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Mobile units have core tasks of license plate collection and vehicle pattern tracking.—
Asra Q. Nomani , Alba Cuebas-Fantauzzi,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The birth of Endeavor startled Hollywood, but Endeavor’s subsequent takeover of powerhouse William Morris shook the town to its core.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Together, these leaders are decentralizing intelligence and embedding it into the fabric of everyday operations.—
Phil Kafarakis,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Kalshi’s exchange is embedded in the Robinhood and Webull apps, which act as a brokerages and have different business goals for prediction markets, wanting to use them as a gateway to other products.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
To stop each dog from trying to reach the toy, the owners sat at a dining table or on the floor while the dog was put behind a child safety gate, or was in a dog cradle or bed.—
Amarachi Orie,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The wise men made a pilgrimage from the east to worship at the cradle of Christ; and the shepherds journeyed from field to town in search of Jesus, the savior of the world.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
25 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The beginning of the year is often the time for contemplation and action.—
Heather L. Locus,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Near the beginning of the site’s trail, a replica village contains several ‘ewaas, which are traditional Kumeyaay homes.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Once completed, the Zhangzhou nuclear power plant will rank among China’s largest nuclear power bases.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Bondi and Blanche filed a response arguing that Massie and Khanna do not have a legal basis for the request.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Root.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/root. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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