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

Pump Social’s roots The dream come true all started for the Donners with time spent in California’s wine country, learning and growing professionally. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 11 Nov. 2026 The behemoth agency, which traces its roots to the Civil War, is both the country’s largest healthcare system and one of its most effective. — Eric Umansky, ProPublica, 11 Nov. 2026 My family still weaves jewelry from kunngobarn (pandanus), harvested fresh from the bush with a manmarli (hooked stick), then dried and dyed with roots, berries, and flowers. — Liam Freeman, Vogue, 11 Nov. 2026 The result is a staggering 24 inches of pure suspension travel to tackle exposed limestone and gnarled roots of severe backcountry trails. — New Atlas, 11 Nov. 2026 His anthology of traditional old time/roots recordings was brilliantly curated, the descriptions were laconic, quixotic, and memorable. — Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026 The practice also carries deep cultural roots that resonate with wellness audiences. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 11 Nov. 2026 But focusing solely on the highest echelons of the group's command and control misses the roots of its staying power. — Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2026 Mulching too early in fall can trap warmth that tricks the plants into sending out new growth, but mulching after the ground has frozen won’t properly insulate roots. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 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

Losing research capacity weakens our ability to generate the next sources of economic growth.

— Carole LaBonne, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
Depending on the provider and plan, these services can monitor multiple sources of information and send alerts when something needs your attention.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of sources

Noun

As indie pop became glossier and more fleshed out in the 1990s, few bands embraced its minimal, melancholy origins like the Cat’s Miaow.

— David Glickman, Pitchfork, 11 Nov. 2026
Gary Soffer, director of the integrative medicine program at Smilow Cancer Hospital, explained the origins to VeryWell Mind.

— Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of origins

Noun

Rather than demolishing and starting again, the team kept the historic walls standing, reinforced every one of them, and dug beneath to take the foundations deeper.

— Lucas Oliver Mill, Architectural Digest, 11 Nov. 2026
Next, the conservancy will need to secure funding to move the buildings onto their new foundations, potentially costing close to $250,000 to move two buildings 400 feet, according to Pham.

— Emilie Takahashi, Oc Register, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of foundations

Noun

Signature therapies incorporate local ingredients like virgin coconut oil, Caribbean sea salt scrubs, and tropical flower essences.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2026
Essential oils, oleoresins, essences and distillates all qualify, as do protein hydrolysates and any product of roasting, heating or enzymolysis.

— Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of essences

Verb

The protesters also win over an initially unnerved local news reporter (Dylan O’Brien), who embeds with them as a communications ally.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
The regal-looking Oculus design is flattering in its curvilinear, embeds the diamond securely within its basket, and, once again, can go so far as to represent two lives uniting as one — sans borders, boundaries, or barriers.

— Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of embeds

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

An ordinary person with humble beginnings faces real obstacles in pursuit of a meaningful goal and is transformed both personally and in their circumstances.

— Kylie Slavik, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026
New beginnings Ross poses on a floral sofa in her Miami suite in this photo, dated March 17, 1970.

— Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of beginnings

Noun

His speed running the bases, leaping skills in the outfield, arm strength and patience at the plate after a slow start created the perfect storm to produce an MVP season.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2026
Operations continue to reclaim areas under the control of armed gangs, including locations used as hideouts, staging points, and supply bases.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026