ROOTS Synonyms: 155 Similar and Opposite Words

roots 1 of 2

noun

Definition of roots next

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 fish fry traces its roots back to 2021, when Robinson, founder of The Applesauce Group, a nonprofit that works to empower historically excluded communities, began hosting small gatherings during the uncertainty of the pandemic. —

Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026 What’s more, onions and other alliums have natural antibacterial properties that may inhibit the nitrogen-fixing bacteria on the roots of legume plants. —

Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2026 Yokohamabashi Shotengai Wander through this lively produce market, eyeing giant roots of fresh wasabi and pyramids of ripe persimmons. —

Kim Kay, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026 Previous emcees have had direct Broadway roots. —

Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026 The larger, at 31 Pratt, is the former headquarters of Society for Savings, an old-line bank whose roots stretched back to 1819. —

Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026 Hip hop’s roots can be traced back to block parties hosted by Bambaataa in the South Bronx during the 1970s. —

Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026 Mars enters Aries and your zone of home and roots today. —

Usa Today, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026 Those roots deepened in 2024, when five of Sediqa’s colleagues formed a sponsor group through the United States Refugee Admissions Program, bringing our family together after three years apart. —

Sediqa Fahimi, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026

Verb

Minibars feature a custom bourbon blend from local distillery Jacob Rieger & Company, a thoughtful touch that roots the experience in Missouri. —

Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Mar. 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 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

My patient is refusing a drug studied in 170,000 people because of side effects that a 124,000-person analysis just confirmed do not exist — while injecting a compound studied in 14 humans, from unregulated sources, based on the recommendation of someone who profits from selling it.

— Vikas Patel, STAT, 3 Apr. 2026
Roughly half of Iran’s missile launchers remain intact and thousands of one-way attack drones are still in its arsenal despite weeks of daily US and Israeli strikes on military targets, according to recent US intelligence assessments, three sources familiar with the intel told CNN.

— Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026