Synonyms of roots

roots 1 of 2

noun

plural of root

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

• sources
• origins
• cradles
• fountains
• beginnings
• springs
• fonts
• wellsprings
• wells
• fountainheads
• seedbeds
• commencements
• geneses
• starts
• inceptions
• incipiencies
• outsets
• kickoffs
• baselines
• day ones
• thresholds
• launches
• incipiences
• nascencies
• first bases
• onsets
• ground zeros
• nascences
• dawns
• square ones
• get-goes
• mornings

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

• origins
• beginnings
• seed
• germs
• starts
• geneses
• seedbeds
• originations
• fonts
• fountainheads
• fountains
• springs
• wells
• wellsprings
• inceptions
• launches
• wellheads
• commencements
• births
• thresholds
• onsets
• dawns
• inaugurations
• creations
• incipiencies
• outsets
• mornings

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

• foundations
• bases
• bases
• cornerstones
• bedrocks
• grounds
• underpinnings
• keystones
• warps
• footings
• premises
• theories
• shores
• essences
• bottoms
• groundworks
• cores
• warp and woofs
• foci
• assumptions
• substrata
• kernels
• supports
• frameworks
• hearts
• justifications
• backbones
• beds
• infrastructures
• props
• presumptions
• buttresses
• substructures
• centers
• presuppositions
• stays
• mounts
• braces
• theses
• bulwarks
• warrants
• anchorages
• nuclei
• rationales
• touchstones
• hubs
• suppositions
• seats
• eyes
• souls
• quintessences

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

• essences
• hearts
• kernels
• cores
• points
• meats
• sums
• nuclei
• bottom lines
• themes
• nubs
• subjects
• pivots
• nets
• piths
• nubbins
• centerpieces
• meat and potatoes
• gists
• directions
• substances
• cruxes
• keynotes
• contents
• tenors
• bull's-eyes
• bodies
• courses
• drifts
• hypotheses
• theses
• propositions
• purports

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• embeds
• lodges
• beds
• places
• impacts
• implants
• entrenches
• sticks
• enroots
• puts
• ingrains
• fixes
• infuses
• drives (into)
• establishes
• beats (into)
• instills
• imbues
• settles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• roots (out)
• eliminates
• uproots
• dislodges
• removes
• eradicates
• expels
• disconnects
• ejects
• detaches
• disengages

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of roots

Noun

The clothing brand, known for its buttery soft denim pants, started in 2002 with the aim to combine British roots with the energy of New York City’s fashion with a modern twist. — Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026

The arrival of Alma, a real estate developer from Madrid who settles in Gazulea with her two daughters, disrupts the community’s life and sparks a conflict between the town’s future and the preservation of its roots. — Franchesca Guim, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026

Like any true diva, Godzilla doesn’t make an appearance until relatively late into Godzilla Minus Zero, the second of filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki’s efforts to return the monster movies to their post-WWII roots. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026

Allen has maintained his Duke roots, getting back to Durham most summers and speaking about once a month with his former coach, Mike Krzyzewski. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2026

Carnegie Mellon’s roots and alumni Dating back to the turn of the century, steel magnate Andrew Carnegie established the original school in 1900 as a technical college in Pittsburgh, where his company was based. — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026

There are some authors who plumb the roots of their own concerns or anxieties, while others work tirelessly to build worlds out of words and ideas. — Josh Zajdman, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026

And yet, with so many big personalities in the series then, Johncock managed to carve out his own niche with his small-town roots and penchant for wearing flannel shirts and jeans. — CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

After lying dormant for over twenty years, the property has been completely renovated to make the space feel tasteful, modern, and comfortable while continuing to pay tribute to its deep archival roots. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 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