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
Relevance
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
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
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
as in embeds
to set solidly in or as if in surrounding matter
rooted the post securely in the dirt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of roots
Peter Baugh, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
The swearing-in ceremony drew an array of Texas Democrats and highlighted his labor organizer roots.
—Philip Jankowski, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
Brands have turned to vintage influence, Western roots and coastal cool as inspiration for their Spring/Summer 2026 men’s collections.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 19 Feb. 2026
Nourish your roots, and tomorrow’s work should feel easier!
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2026
Robert’s large property borders a clear cut — a clearing where a pine thicket had been cut down in the summer of 2009 — leaving behind a mess of tree stumps and roots.
—Meghan O'Brien, NBC news, 19 Feb. 2026
Let the roots dry out and then repot the plant in fresh, well-draining potting medium.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
While neighboring vineyards resorted to grafting their vines onto pest-resistant American roots, DRC used various intensive strategies to keep its original European vines intact, at least until the 1940s.
—Pin Yen Tan 9 Min Ago, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
In 2017, McRae went back to her YouTube roots and uploaded a video of herself singing an original ballad.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
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
Noun
The rink disparity’s roots go back to well before the countries’ current allocation of resources.
—Peter Baugh, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
The swearing-in ceremony drew an array of Texas Democrats and highlighted his labor organizer roots.
—Philip Jankowski, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
Brands have turned to vintage influence, Western roots and coastal cool as inspiration for their Spring/Summer 2026 men’s collections.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 19 Feb. 2026
Nourish your roots, and tomorrow’s work should feel easier!
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2026
Robert’s large property borders a clear cut — a clearing where a pine thicket had been cut down in the summer of 2009 — leaving behind a mess of tree stumps and roots.
—Meghan O'Brien, NBC news, 19 Feb. 2026
Let the roots dry out and then repot the plant in fresh, well-draining potting medium.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
While neighboring vineyards resorted to grafting their vines onto pest-resistant American roots, DRC used various intensive strategies to keep its original European vines intact, at least until the 1940s.
—Pin Yen Tan 9 Min Ago, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
In 2017, McRae went back to her YouTube roots and uploaded a video of herself singing an original ballad.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
-
The shift in power from the media to the sources to the subjects.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The restaurant approaching its 30th anniversary sources a hefty amount of produce and other products from local farms — a theme that continues for Cochran at Bruce Moffett’s Stagioni.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Ragtime’s jubilant origins in vaudeville and communal dancing are apparent in its euphonious melodies and playful rhythms.—
Aly Eleanor,
Pitchfork,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ — Test yourself on retro recipes and Olympic origins.—
,
FOXNews.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Those foundations include the Mathias Corvinus Collegium, Hungary’s largest educational institution, which has close ties to Orbán’s government.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
-
That means investing in affordable healthcare, childcare, public education, workforce training, and infrastructure — the foundations of a strong middle class.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The spa uses oils and essences from the hotel's medicinal garden, while the treatment rooms are set within the former convent's nuns' cells.—
Jenn Rice,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Skin care leads the conversation, alongside a growing focus on niche fragrances, refined essences and wellness treatments.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The company embeds in e-commerce payments and point-of-sale systems to show consumers the environmental impact of their purchase and offers them the option to support a local project to compensate for that impact.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Its architecture embeds intelligent agents directly into each aircraft, enabling autonomous formation control, routing, and obstacle avoidance.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Lamu, Kenya Sitting in the Indian Ocean to the northeast of the Kenyan mainland, Lamu is one of the cradles of Swahili culture.—
Annabelle Dufraigne,
Architectural Digest,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Married couples shared a bed, and one of their younger children might sleep with them, though infants had cradles.—
Bobbi Sutherland,
The Conversation,
19 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The state has come a long way since those early beginnings.—
Paige Moore,
AZCentral.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The outgoing creative directors of Oscar de la Renta—and a guest list including Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Jamie Chung, Sai De Silva, and more—toasted to new beginnings over cognac and a traditional feast Kim prepared herself.—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There are countless ways to wear hearts on your nails—this one uses shape.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The news warmed our hearts in the midst of this cold, dark and endless winter.—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Roots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roots. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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