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 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
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
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
Claire B. Wofford, The Conversation, 13 June 2025
But here, in the narrows of the canyon, where Temescal Creek tickled the roots of sycamores and cooled the air beneath the heavy branches of valley oaks, Young lighted up with the enthusiasm of an amateur botanist.
—Greg Goldin, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
Steve Bender, Southern Living, 7 June 2025
The Carolina Panthers have ties to all of those postseason teams, which could lead a casual or first-time UFL watcher to finding some sort of rooting interest for the UFL playoffs.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for root
Noun
The root of the problem lies within the Constitution.
—Claire B. Wofford, The Conversation, 13 June 2025
But here, in the narrows of the canyon, where Temescal Creek tickled the roots of sycamores and cooled the air beneath the heavy branches of valley oaks, Young lighted up with the enthusiasm of an amateur botanist.
—Greg Goldin, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
Verb
Plus Grumpy’s advice on how to root a boxwood cutting.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 7 June 2025
The Carolina Panthers have ties to all of those postseason teams, which could lead a casual or first-time UFL watcher to finding some sort of rooting interest for the UFL playoffs.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for root
Recent Examples of Synonyms for root
Noun
-
But now in late May, insider Jeff Sneider and John Rocha discussed the report again, saying that trustworthy sources said that the plan was for The Punisher was to join forces with Spider-Man to fight against The Hulk.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
-
They are linked to a single source, the county health department said June 9.—
DEVI SHASTRI,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2025
Noun
-
In conversation with Forbes Life, Stoddard speaks about her travels during her research, the origins of ralli and the future of this age-old, beautiful craft.—
Sonya Rehman,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
-
The movie charts the influential British rock group's origin story in the late 1960s, from their earliest days – and how everybody wasn't all about that now-iconic name – to their meteoric rise as one of the world's biggest bands.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
14 June 2025
Noun
-
The brand consistently delivers effective skincare at an approachable price, and its skin tint combines foundation and mineral SPF 40 into one multitasking base layer to create a lightweight no-brainer for beach vacations.—
Rebecca Shinners,
Travel + Leisure,
21 June 2025
-
Those two periods in her life, happening at an age when one is open to major growth and evolution, intertwined into building the foundation for Rosemary’s wine career.—
Cathrine Todd,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Noun
-
Fleck suggested first finding that kernel of truth in what the other person is saying or doing.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
-
For decades the jewelry house Tane México 1942 has translated its Mexican heritage and identity into silver, drawing inspiration from items as diverse as kernels of corn, Oaxacan needlework and even Frida Kahlo’s signature braids.—
Janelle Conaway,
New York Times,
20 May 2025
Verb
-
This also requires embedding AI within core operational processes rather than treating it as a side initiative.—
Muamer Cisija,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Steel plates have been embedded in the asphalt to protect roads from 140,000-pound tanks.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
8 June 2025
Noun
-
The president was undeterred, and the flights resumed the very next day, filled with cardboard file boxes that had been repurposed into makeshift cradles.—
Jim Axelrod
June 9,
CBS News,
9 June 2025
-
The lifestyle appeal of the M2 Pro is instantly obvious in its eye-catching design, which sees a roughly cubic, tan-colored body attached to a crisp metallic supporting cradle within which the projector can be rotated to get its images appearing at the right height on your wall or screen.—
John Archer,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
Only Part of It Hails From Ingolstadt At the beginning of the 1990s, both Audi and Porsche needed help.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
10 June 2025
-
At the beginning of the year, WWD reported that Medik8 was exploring deal options.—
Jennifer Weil,
Footwear News,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
Jesus Sanchez had two hits including a home run, Calvin Faucher retired James Wood with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth and the visiting Miami Marlins beat the Washington Nationals 4-3 on Saturday.—
By,
Miami Herald,
15 June 2025
-
In a move widely seen as an effort to ease American ambitions for the territory, on June 12 Denmark’s parliament widened a military agreement with Washington to allow US bases on Danish soil.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
15 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Root.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/root. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share