Synonyms of uproot

uproot

verb

(ˌ)əp-ˈrüt 

as in to pry

to draw out by force or with effort

uprooted the old bridge's pilings upon the completion of its replacement

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pry
• pull
• yank
• extract
• pluck
• remove
• tear (out)
• wrest
• prize
• take (out)
• root (out)
• wring
• withdraw
• corkscrew
• mine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• install
• insert
• instill
• implant
• stuff
• ram
• jam
• cram
• wedge

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb uproot differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of uproot are eradicate, exterminate, and extirpate. While all these words mean "to effect the destruction or abolition of something," uproot implies a forcible or violent removal and stresses displacement or dislodgment rather than immediate destruction.

the war uprooted thousands

In what contexts can eradicate take the place of uproot?

While in some cases nearly identical to uproot, eradicate implies the driving out or elimination of something that has established itself.

a campaign to eradicate illiteracy

When is it sensible to use exterminate instead of uproot?

The words exterminate and uproot can be used in similar contexts, but exterminate implies complete and immediate extinction by killing off all individuals.

exterminate cockroaches

When would extirpate be a good substitute for uproot?

The synonyms extirpate and uproot are sometimes interchangeable, but extirpate implies extinction of a race, family, species, or sometimes an idea or doctrine by destruction or removal of its means of propagation.

many species have been extirpated from the area

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of uproot

Strong winds capable of knocking out power and damaging or uprooting trees are the biggest threat, though there’s enough spin in the atmosphere to generate isolated tornadoes that can form quickly with little advance warning. —Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025

Sarah’s addiction uprooted their lives. —Rachel Hale, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025

The Gaza population of more than 2 million has been repeatedly uprooted throughout the war, with most residents now squeezed into tent encampments in the southern part of the territory, near the border with Egypt. —Greg Myre, NPR, 9 Oct. 2025

Last year, Weiss uprooted from Los Angeles with her wife, New York Times alum Nellie Bowles, and their kids to New York. —Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 7 Oct. 2025