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 embeds
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 roots
Cortney Harding, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
John Rambo takes audiences back, years before the events of First Blood, diving deep into the roots and experiences that forged one of the big screen’s most enduring and complex characters.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
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
Overwatering is the most common cause of yellow ficus leaves, as soggy soil suffocates roots.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 29 Jan. 2026
But Brewer says Starbucks has transcended its roots.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Likewise, the sugars produced by the green leaves of a scion cannot be shared with the lower stem and roots of the plant if the graft fails.
—Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
Monte started a private business 25 years ago using his Italian roots — gelato, a frozen dessert.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
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
Rising seas could swallow the land that roots our identity.
—Feleti Penitala Teo, Time, 22 Sep. 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
Noun
Freed from some of the commercial pressures, creators are going back to their roots and getting weird, and perhaps building the foundation of the future of immersive content.
—Cortney Harding, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
John Rambo takes audiences back, years before the events of First Blood, diving deep into the roots and experiences that forged one of the big screen’s most enduring and complex characters.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
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
Overwatering is the most common cause of yellow ficus leaves, as soggy soil suffocates roots.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 29 Jan. 2026
But Brewer says Starbucks has transcended its roots.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Likewise, the sugars produced by the green leaves of a scion cannot be shared with the lower stem and roots of the plant if the graft fails.
—Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
Monte started a private business 25 years ago using his Italian roots — gelato, a frozen dessert.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
Rising seas could swallow the land that roots our identity.
—Feleti Penitala Teo, Time, 22 Sep. 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
-
NurPhoto via Getty Images FC Barcelona has made a decision on Gavi’s return from injury amid his teammate and close friend Pedri being ruled out for a month according to SPORT, which cited anonymous sources.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Charge your devices, arrange alternate heating or power sources, gather your candles and flashlights.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Valentine's Day pagan connections One of the most common explanations is that Valentine's Day has its origins in the ancient Roman fertility festival of Lupercalia.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Because this history is a critical part of our nation's origins.—
Eva Andersen,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Some clerics control enormous charitable foundations worth billions of dollars through donations from followers and budgets from the state, while others operate modest local mosques with minimal resources.—
Narges Bajoghli,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Still, her median grant size, around $5 million, according to Yield Giving data analyzed by Fortune, dwarfs that of the roughly $123,000 median grant from typical foundations, Phil Buchanan, president of the Center for Effective Philanthropy, told The New York Times.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Skin care leads the conversation, alongside a growing focus on niche fragrances, refined essences and wellness treatments.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
22 Dec. 2025
-
And this year’s lineup is loaded with glow-boosting icons—from milky toners and hydrating essences to overnight masks that make your skin feel like a cloud.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
2 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Bernstein downgraded Freeport-McMoRan to hold from buy, and said the current valuation embeds a much higher copper price than Bernstein is comfortable with.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The film embeds its characters in a creative reimagining of Elizabethan period pieces, with costume design nominee Malgosia Turzanska drawing on the color of blood as inspiration for Anges’s garments.—
Savannah Walsh,
Vanity Fair,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Married couples shared a bed, and one of their younger children might sleep with them, though infants had cradles.—
Bobbi Sutherland,
The Conversation,
19 Dec. 2025
-
In the photos, Travis can be seen down on one knee as Swift cradles his face in the sweet moment.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Both stories have been condensed to their main scenes and songs but still contain full stories with beginnings, middles and ends.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
11 Jan. 2026
-
What numerology 2026 means for your life The destiny number 1 stands for new beginnings, personal responsibility, and courageous initiative.—
Hannah Madlener,
Glamour,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But Canadian superstar Connor McDavid, a three-time NHL MVP, broke America’s hearts in overtime, scoring a championship-clinching goal.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Our hearts were and are still broken.—
Hope Hunt,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Roots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roots. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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