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

Reid on Wednesday remembered a player who embraced his rural roots — Bailey grew up in Hog Hammock on Sapelo Island off the Georgia coast — and offered, ahem, a culinary tip. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026 The goddesses in these paintings have a serene air, with roots firmly anchored in the earth, but also a crown of leaves that sway with the wind. — Tatiane De Assis, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2026 That's critical as the ChatGPT creator looks to build its business beyond its consumer roots, and the move puts OpenAI's models on all three of the top cloud infrastructure providers. — Jordan Novet, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026 The result was Pisqueya, pairing those roots with a spirit of experimentation. — Walaa Elsiddig, Billboard, 20 Oct. 2026 After serving the area for more than six decades and now operating multiple locations, the bakery still relies on its Cuban roots and classics like the Cheese Roll and Potato Ball to draw crowds daily. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 So, Tolbert decided to bring the building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, back to its roots. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026 The state that launched him to the White House was predominantly white and Republican, an arsenal of the Cold War and the birthplace of a grass-roots anti-tax movement that swept the nation. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 This is very relevant to the war and our understanding of its roots. — Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Verb

However, her performance soon takes on a more grounded, childlike cadence, which roots the supposedly amnesiac Margot a little too firmly within the literal, especially for a tale whose poetry lies in its uncanniness. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for roots

Noun

But Netanyahu’s government wanted the existing framework kept intact, according to multiple sources who spoke to TIME, including an Israeli official and an international diplomat.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
Russia's Ryazan oil refinery has suspended operations at a primary crude distillation unit after a drone attack in the region on Thursday, two industry sources told Reuters.

— Arathy Somasekhar Reuters, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of sources

Noun

Cooke does his best to dramatize these origins, often through dry humor, but the personalities involved don’t quite rise to the level of an Aaron Sorkin drama.

— Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
Episode four of VisionQuest digs into Butcherbird’s origins and identity while raising fresh questions about her.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of origins

Noun

Such a shift would challenge the foundations of modern finance.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
During the personal computer boom, the likes of Michael Dell and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates started private foundations to manage their philanthropy.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of foundations

Noun

Finish Skin Prep With a Toner or Essence After cleansing, a toning step can remove any leftover impurities from the pores and balance the skin’s pH level, while essences—which have a slightly thicker texture—tend to be more hydrating.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026
For the skincare enthusiast who knows her serums from her essences, an exfoliating cleanser from DIME Beauty can be a thoughtful addition to her routine.

— Ethan Stone October 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of essences

Noun

The books below will satisfy your bog witch cravings, while also reminding you of the real-world importance of bogs as bulwarks against climate change, cradles of biodiversity, and keepers of ancestral memory.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
Soft, dynamic cushioning cradles your feet with every step while providing maximum support, providing transition assistance between launch and landing.

— Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of cradles

Noun

Set in the 1980s, the series will follow Marckinkus from his beginnings as Pope Paul VI’s unofficial bodyguard to his tenure at the helm of the Vatican’s finances.

— Ellise Shafer, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026
Murky beginnings Growing up in Weston-super-Mare, Archer was doted on by his mother, who worked as a journalist on the local paper and sent him to Wellington School on a scholarship.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of beginnings

Noun

Spotify had guided to slower MAU growth in the third quarter, pointing to changes to products in emerging countries to help the company better monetize its user bases.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
The technology could have important applications in space exploration, including providing electricity for future Moon bases, scientific instruments and long-duration space missions.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026