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

Each work takes its cues from Vodou spiritual practices in Haiti that are grounded in their African roots. — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 Inspired by her Mexican roots, Ale Moreno is the graphic designer behind the exclusive collection of team merchandise. — Mary Lee, CBS News, 14 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 Besides transporting me back to ancient China, solving this problem took me back to my own roots as a mathematician. — Dana MacKenzie, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026 This is very relevant to the war and our understanding of its roots. — Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026 The audience not only experienced the distinctive appeal of Chinese-language music but also recognized Tia’s exceptional artistry, which combines her Eastern cultural roots with a global musical language. — Billboard China, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026 Vest’s campus roots Ma, 25, became interested in crypto derivatives while studying finance and philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania. — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026 Plus, plenty of scalp serums are available, too (great hair starts at the roots, of course). — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 7 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

At a moment when historically reliable sources of employment for mid-career comedians—writing for sitcoms and late night, supporting roles in film comedies, commercials—all seem to be in crisis, the podcast business is comparatively lucrative.

— Dan Brooks, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
Confidential sources Rahmer acknowledged in his testimony that there are limits to knowing who is a confidential informant or working for agencies outside the FBI.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of sources

Noun

For anyone who spends a lot of time online, the series’s AI origins are hard to miss.

— Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
This team considered the origins of this star using a model of the Milky Way that has been rapidly enriched with elements heavier than hydrogen and helium, which astronomers call metals, via the death of the first generation of stars.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of origins

Noun

Dropping two cylinders and losing almost three liters of displacement means there’s no option for shaking a garage on its foundations or setting off car alarms while waiting for a red light.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026
The fund launched with $27 million, including an initial $10 million donation from the Knight Foundation and support from Pivotal and the Ford, MacArthur, Robert Wood Johnson and Schmidt Family foundations.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of foundations

Noun

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
Following the Korean beauty trend, Costioli would layer on product after product — toners, serums, essences and moisturizers — in pursuit of an ultra-dewy complexion.

— Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of essences

Verb

The brand embeds itself in the treatment room, too, not just on the retail shelf.

— Bilin Lin, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026
By running a masternode, Clear Street embeds itself directly into the core consensus layer, taking on the heavy lifting of verifying transactions and steering network governance.

— Ethan M. Stone, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of embeds

Noun

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
Egypt, one of the word’s cradles of civilization, is also a vibrant, modern country.

— Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

Definition of cradles

Noun

Inspired by the Spanish luxury house’s own beginnings as an artisanal workshop, the award intends to recognize excellence and innovation in craft in all its forms.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
And Royal Enfield, which is now one of the most recognizable brands on the planet, has had an even longer, stranger journey from its British beginnings to becoming an Indian motorcycle powerhouse.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of beginnings

Noun

Security researchers examining a sample found more than 30 million location points, including phones at the White House, the Kremlin and military bases around the world.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
The use of GDRs offers a template for exchanges across the continent to expand pan-African trade and broaden their investor bases.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2026