1
as in source
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 origin
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 foundation
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 kernel
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 to embed
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
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Recent Examples of root
Cat Sposato, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2025
All of which is to say that Stengel was such a sensation in New York, so long after growing up here, that his roots seemed to become less and less relevant there and more and more distant here.
—Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2025
Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 21 Sep. 2025
The wildly successful, influential industries rooted on opposite ends of California have long eyed each other warily.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for root
Noun
The tour dives into Puerto Rico's Afro-Caribbean and rural roots, using music to highlight the island's racial and cultural diversity.
—Cat Sposato, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2025
All of which is to say that Stengel was such a sensation in New York, so long after growing up here, that his roots seemed to become less and less relevant there and more and more distant here.
—Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
The version of you that steps forward now feels more self-possessed, radiant, and rooted.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 21 Sep. 2025
The wildly successful, influential industries rooted on opposite ends of California have long eyed each other warily.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for root
Recent Examples of Synonyms for root
Noun
-
What's Next Chinese research ship operations in neighboring maritime zones are likely to remain a source of controversy as the country continues to strengthen its posture in the region.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
A lot of the information being funneled to him and his peers from news sources wasn't clear.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Alejandro and his band embrace bomba even more here, dedicating the album’s opener to the genre and leaning into its Afro-Puerto Rican origins and ties to African religions.—
Juan J. Arroyo,
Rolling Stone,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The festival celebrates the Milwaukee origins of the universal, yet inefficient QWERTY keyboard in worldwide use.—
Angelika Ytuarte,
jsonline.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The $470 million figure emerged during city council deliberations and was later confirmed by the foundation in its 2020 annual report.—
Christine Valora,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The result is companies built on sturdier foundations, less vulnerable to the ups and downs of funding markets.—
Aman Ghei,
Fortune,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
To be fair to Kemp, some of his criticisms are not without a kernel of truth.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
25 Sep. 2025
-
If the kernel is spoon-shaped, expect plenty of snow.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The next story is actually embedded in Pictures of Ghosts.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
30 Sep. 2025
-
She is respected throughout the league and deeply embedded in the players’ CBA negotiations.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The university known as the cradle of astronauts will soon send a few more folks to the final frontier.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Finally, one of the tall cranes lifted the boat out of the water, high into the air, and carefully swung it over and down onto the team’s boat cradle, on shore.—
Jan Wagner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
However, there are no such hints for players in Season 3, who are sorted into teams at the beginning of their time in Borderland and told where to go for the next match.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Indiana can expect dry temperatures around the state at the beginning of October.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The 2023 writers’ strike opened up airtime on ABC on a weekly basis and contributed to a 29% jump in ratings.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Anyone who possessed this overwhelming desire to face near certain death on a regular basis is going to be unusual.—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Root.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/root. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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