ROOTS Synonyms: 155 Similar and Opposite Words

roots 1 of 2

noun

plural of root

as in sources

a point or place at which something is invented or provided he insists that insecurity is the root of all jealousy

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Relevance

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

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as in foundations

an immaterial thing upon which something else rests an implicit trust in the wisdom of the people is the root of democracy

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as in essences

the central part or aspect of something under consideration at root, it's a question of the proper limits, if any, of free speech

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roots

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of root

as in embeds

to set solidly in or as if in surrounding matter rooted the post securely in the dirt

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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 roots

Noun

The clinical roots trace back to Norway in the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, when educator and therapist Olav Skille pioneered vibroacoustic therapy (VAT) for pain, spasticity and relaxation. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026 The roots of Suki’s personality and ethos trace back to her hometown in Wilmington, Delaware. — Meagan Jordan, VIBE.com, 10 July 2026 And to cultivate a connection to place, manufacturers can use fibers and dyes that reflect local textures and histories, essentially reframing clothing as a map of the land, honoring its distinctive ancestral roots. — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 10 July 2026 Hickey and chef-partner Collin Parker work together on a menu that draws Chicagoans near and far, and Hickey’s Bridgeport roots run deep. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026 Monaco was the first place Djokovic put down roots outside of Serbia. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 July 2026 If Stevens wants to return Michigan Democrats to their roots, El-Sayed is intent on taking his party—in Michigan and beyond—in a new and radically different direction. — Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 10 July 2026 Working at the garden center gave me an opportunity to return to my roots — pardon the pun — as a farmer's daughter who loves the reward that comes from a hard day's work. — Leslie Friday, CNBC, 10 July 2026 Rush further acknowledged its roots with tunes that the teenage Lee and Lifeson used to study by listening to records on a turntable and following along on their instruments. — Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 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

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth planned to announce at a June NATO meeting even steeper cuts that could add up to the one-third reduction Trump raised, according to two sources.

— Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
Small modular and advanced nuclear reactors are increasingly being explored as long-term power sources for energy-intensive facilities.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 July 2026

Definition of sources

Noun

Founded in Trieste, Italy in 1933 and still family-run, the company has never released a second blend or followed the rest of the industry into rotating origins.

— Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
The innovative fair’s first international edition will debut during Art Basel Paris and be staged in two buildings in the Marais, a swerve from its highly specific locational origins.

— News Desk, Artforum, 9 July 2026

Definition of origins

Noun

Earth Fire Alliance is supported by various philanthropic foundations, including the Bezos Earth Fund which pledged $26 million in June.

— Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026

Definition of foundations

Noun

In general, Daosist alchemy is understood as distilling elements of the world into potent spiritual essences.

— Michael Naparstek, The Conversation, 6 July 2026
One notable upgrade is the Sheet Mask Boost Mode, specifically designed to help hydrating essences penetrate deeper into the skin.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 June 2026

Definition of essences

Verb

Khakar then embeds these reminders into her personal calendar and asks AI to organize her pitch schedule around the rest of her life.

— Christine Haughney Dare-Bryan, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Their proprietary InfuseRFID technology, which embeds durable, washable RFID tags directly into garments, won the Sustainable Product Award at the 2026 SEAL Business Sustainability Awards.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 24 June 2026

Definition of embeds

Noun

Johnson Products Company — which would later go on to manufacture Ultra Sheen, Classy Curl, Curly Perm and men’s cologne line Black Tie — was made from humble beginnings, grit and a revolutionary product idea.

— Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Since its 2011 beginnings, the women’s competition has crowned just two other champs besides Sudo.

— Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of beginnings

Noun

Food and drink Seasonality and local sourcing are the cornerstones of Indigo, the main restaurant that sits on a mezzanine floor overlooking the lobby bar.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2026
Curriculum reform was one of the cornerstones of Louisiana’s rise in literacy achievement.

— Thibaut Delloue, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 June 2026