1
as in sources
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 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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in lodges
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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of roots
Jeanette Hurt, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
The problem is that standing water in the soil deprives roots of oxygen.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Now McBride, Shamshiri and their partners, Tiger King co-creator Eric Goode (the hotel’s lead designer) and restaurateur Warner Ebbink, have returned the 2-acre property to its old California roots, reviving the original name and undertaking a painstaking restoration.
—Degen Pener, HollywoodReporter, 13 Sep. 2025
An artisan pizzeria with South Beach roots is expanding across the state.
—Jason Dill, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
As the plant grows, the roots reach downward toward the water.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
The space complements the retailer’s unique assortment of apparel and accessories, which for the anniversary will be further enriched by a selection of Gigli’s archival pieces, in a nod to Zambeletti’s roots and homage to the designer that sparked her fashion journey.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
Frequently, capital comes with deep industry roots — a former music executive backing a music startup, or a healthcare veteran funding a medtech company.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Loosen the plant’s roots with your fingers.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025
Alex Brueckmann, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
This Chardonnay is both a step forward and a nod to its roots, Myers says, as Chardonnay was one of the first grapes that founder Justin Baldwin planted in his vineyard.
—Jeanette Hurt, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
The problem is that standing water in the soil deprives roots of oxygen.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Now McBride, Shamshiri and their partners, Tiger King co-creator Eric Goode (the hotel’s lead designer) and restaurateur Warner Ebbink, have returned the 2-acre property to its old California roots, reviving the original name and undertaking a painstaking restoration.
—Degen Pener, HollywoodReporter, 13 Sep. 2025
An artisan pizzeria with South Beach roots is expanding across the state.
—Jason Dill, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
As the plant grows, the roots reach downward toward the water.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
The space complements the retailer’s unique assortment of apparel and accessories, which for the anniversary will be further enriched by a selection of Gigli’s archival pieces, in a nod to Zambeletti’s roots and homage to the designer that sparked her fashion journey.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
Frequently, capital comes with deep industry roots — a former music executive backing a music startup, or a healthcare veteran funding a medtech company.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Loosen the plant’s roots with your fingers.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for roots
Noun
-
However, the picture of severe armored attrition for Russia is consistent across multiple sources.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Questions remain about carbon-capture wells Arizona is the nation’s largest producer of copper, an essential component in the electrification of cars and household appliances, as well as renewable power sources.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The origins of Godzilla’s name may remain a mystery, but there are no secrets related to its film escapades.—
Michael Taube,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Since pivoting from black and pinto beans to roasted and ground ones, Niccol has been trying to reverse Starbucks’s falling sales by returning to its coffeehouse origins.—
Molly Liebergall,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
While current makeup trends have skewed more dewy than matte, the best powder foundations still have a place in everyday makeup routines thanks to their fail-proof application—just pat on, and go!—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Right now, as City attempt to establish their defensive foundations, Khusanov’s high-stakes defending is, oddly, their most reliable solution to a problem position.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Meanwhile, the Enchanted glittered with edible pink shimmer dust, and bursting with fruity, botanical flavors – Grey Goose with watermelon basil essences, vermouth and basil.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
However, looking deep into these swirling cradles of planet formation has always been tricky.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Aug. 2025
-
Now on sale for less than $20, these pumpkin cradles are a simple but genius gardening hack that lifts squashes off the ground to prevent moisture build-up that can cause rot.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
As the sun was setting, hundreds of North Texans — many clad in black — gathered with candles and posters in their hands and solidarity in their hearts.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Michelle and Zooey are the perfect duo to bring this cinematic joyride to life—they’re both original, fearless comedians with huge hearts and a willingness to be funny on horseback.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Splunk’s new approach embeds agentic AI directly into Splunk Observability Cloud and Splunk AppDynamics, which continuously analyzes telemetry, flags anomalies, diagnoses root causes and recommends fixes.—
Victor Dey,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
This technique embeds invisible commands inside the body of an email.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The show features flamethrowers, multi-colored fountains and lasers synchronized to inspiring scenes beamed onto a 36-storey hotel and three screens formed from fountains which fan out into a fine mist.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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The new restroom building will have a surf shack theme and several all-gender toilets, as well as outdoor lavatories and drinking fountains.—
Steven Mihailovich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Roots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roots. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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