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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 uproot Many global businesses uprooted their operations from Russia as sweeping sanctions came into force three years ago, Ukraine's allies attempting to cut off Moscow's access to funds for its war effort. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025 To uproot them now is to violate not just individual rights but collective trust—in the rule of law, in humanitarian principles, and in the promises of democratic government. Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 Hundreds of Christians, but also some Muslims, uprooted by Israeli bombardment, now reside on church grounds or in the surrounding environs. Bilal Shbeir, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025 In late 2023, L uprooted her life in Colorado to move back home to Missoula. Aaron Bolton, NPR, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for uproot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uproot
Verb
  • Brands began to pull together resources to support refugees.
    Stephan Rabimov, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023
  • The 13-minute performance will likely call for a healthy dose of vibrant, colored lighting to pull it all together.
    Kelly Allen, House Beautiful, 10 Feb. 2023
Verb
  • The global economy had been yanked in every direction, nonstop, for weeks.
    Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 13 May 2025
  • His childhood home in Dolton happened to be on the market on the day of his election, but it was quickly yanked off when the owner heard the exciting news.
    Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Royalty rates paid by companies to extract oil, gas and coal would be cut, reversing Biden’s attempts to curb fossil fuels to help address climate change.
    Kevin Freking, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
  • Like a professional, Blue Ivy carefully extracted the hair from her earring as swiftly as possible, even hitting a few moves with her while sorting out the wardrobe malfunction.
    Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Adams plucked out Shakespeare’s lines and mounted them like gems in a finely wrought score.
    Justin Davidson, Vulture, 13 May 2025
  • Companies are still developing mining vehicles, but one method would be to use large tractor-sized machines that drive across the sea floor plucking up nodules and transporting them via long pipes to a ship on the surface.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 8 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Uproot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uproot. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on uproot

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