roots 1 of 2

plural of root
1
2
as in origins
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
4

roots

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of root

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 roots
Noun
Larger roots mean larger iris blooms and better plant vitality the following year. Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 18 June 2026 During a scene in the show toward the end, Hargitay's character roots through several boxes around her. Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026 Just outside, Jumping Junction is a new habitat where kangaroos and wallabies roam, tying neatly into Bluey's Australian roots. Jacqueline Dole, Southern Living, 18 June 2026 While most major sports teams now commemorate titles with boozy processions, no route matches the historical significance of New York’s Battery Park to City Hall stretch, with roots dating back to the Revolutionary War. Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 18 June 2026 Use these pots for transplanting seedlings that don’t like having their roots disturbed. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2026 That dual identity—DMV roots and Miami immersion—has shaped MTO’s broader cultural footprint. Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026 Sarnoski’s attachment to the myth of Robin Hood — a dashing man of the people who robbed from the rich to give to the poor — has deep roots. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026 The result is a deep, effective cleanse that respects the scalp’s natural oils—especially important for those with dry skin—creating a more balanced environment where hair can thrive from roots to ends. Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 18 June 2026
Verb
Instead, Nowell roots the band’s sound in the mid-’90s and keeps his vocal mannerisms as close to Bradley’s as possible. Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026 Cousteau roots his pitch in economics. Justin Worland, Time, 28 May 2026 This is a high-spirited opening for curious neighbors and travelers alike, with a mischievous sense of fun that firmly roots guests in their destination. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026 Louisiana dirty rice is a tasty meat-and-rice dish that roots its flavor in aromatic Cajun seasoning and the holy trinity vegetables. Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2026 For Pritchard, whose Stanford roots date back to 2005, the chance to return as head coach was both emotional and deeply personal. Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025 Natural rock formations rise through the living room floor, a detail that roots the design in the hillside itself, and a full renovation of an existing home brought it in line with the style of the main house while still maintaining its own identity. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025 In a strong culture, everyone roots their daily decisions in a desire to be in it to win it; there's a sense of ownership, pride and belonging. Alex Brueckmann, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025 As well, his longstanding appreciation of country music roots his art in respect and reverence of the genre's history. Marcus K. Dowling, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for roots
Noun
  • Nvidia is aiming to raise at least $20 billion in debt, according to sources with knowledge of the matter, in the chipmaker’s first bond sale since the start of the AI boom.
    Arjun Kharpal,Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 19 June 2026
  • Scientists have discovered a new way to control quantum light sources by twisting atomically thin layers of a material known as hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), a breakthrough that could help bring quantum technologies closer to practical use.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • Allegiant Air, which has origins in Las Vegas, has dropped three routes to the Southern Nevada city as part of the 61 routes and seven airports the company cut this year, according to Simple Flying.
    C. A. Bridges, USA Today, 18 June 2026
  • The project, written by Oliver Draiv, explores the origins of Sherlock Holmes’ greatest adversary against the backdrop of modern-day Turin.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • Presidential libraries, in general, are staffed by the nonpartisan National Archives, with museum exhibits maintained largely by presidential foundations.
    Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
  • Typically the more basic onion varieties are used as foundations for sauces or other dishes, but there are so many other delicious and unique varieties of onions, from scallions to green onions to sweet onions such as Vidalia or Maui.
    Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 14 June 2026
Noun
  • In this process, neuroscientists assess the emotional benefits of natural essences using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
    Laia Farran Graves, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
  • Like almost all modern iterations of music, the genre of Catalan rumba has evolved alongside streaming-era influences and the younger generations of musicians who have taken up its sonic essences and distilled them through their own lenses.
    Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • That program, called Family Impact Team, embeds family resource specialists with child protection and foster care staffers to connect families with social services like Medicaid.
    CBS News, CBS News, 17 June 2026
  • The collaboration embeds Wisp's consumer-grade platform directly inside Mount Sinai's clinical infrastructure.
    Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • Egypt, one of the word’s cradles of civilization, is also a vibrant, modern country.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
  • This 10-pack of plastic melon cradles was a lifesaver last year once my pumpkins started maturing late July.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2026
Noun
  • Say yes to beginnings that fit your true pace beautifully.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2026
  • Hockney came from humble beginnings.
    Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • Public safety has emerged as one of the cornerstones of Pratt's platform.
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026
  • Considering the potential for a new manager and the departures of long-serving Guardiola cornerstones like Stones and Silva, this is shaping up to be a big summer of change at City.
    Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 22 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Roots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roots. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.

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