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
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2025
Once-a-week watering will keep the soil around the roots moist but not saturated.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2025
Aaron Davis, Sacramento Bee, 1 Mar. 2025
However, the issue has taken up a large part of the Pentagon’s attention and time as Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth work to root them out, arguing that their medical condition doesn’t meet military standards.
—Tara Copp and Lolita C. Baldor, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for root
Noun
To help increase the root system, tomatoes are planted deeper than most other crops.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2025
Once-a-week watering will keep the soil around the roots moist but not saturated.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
Country roots titan Charley Crockett (June 8), indie rock royalty Death Cab for Cutie (July 23), the lusty co-headline pairing of Shakey Graves and thrashgrassers Trampled by Turtles (Aug. 19) and tons more are all on deck (channel24sac.com).
—Aaron Davis, Sacramento Bee, 1 Mar. 2025
However, the issue has taken up a large part of the Pentagon’s attention and time as Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth work to root them out, arguing that their medical condition doesn’t meet military standards.
—Tara Copp and Lolita C. Baldor, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for root
Recent Examples of Synonyms for root
Noun
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During the 1989 Tiananmen pro-democracy protests, its Chinese-language radio broadcasts became a critical source of uncensored information for the Chinese people.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN,
17 Mar. 2025
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The source added that the duo were accompanied by director Doug Liman, but the specifics of the project are still under wraps.—
Vivian Kwarm,
New York Daily News,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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That’s how British star Stephen Graham (Bodies, Boiling Point) describes the origins of the idea for his Netflix crime drama Adolescence, which premieres on Thursday, during a recent Next on Netflix event in London.—
Georg Szalai,
The Hollywood Reporter,
11 Mar. 2025
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However, the origin of this claim can be traced to a parody Facebook page known as America's Last Line of Defense.—
Shahar Ziv,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Advocates argue that this framework has provided the foundation for decades of stability and prosperity, while critics question its fairness and relevance in today’s multipolar world.—
Andrew Latham,
The Conversation,
17 Mar. 2025
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An event from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, April 13, at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center in La Jolla will recognize Knight’s accomplishments and this year’s group of 50 ARCS scholars while serving as a fundraiser for the foundation.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The chain exploited a series of vulnerabilities in device drivers the Linux kernel uses to support USB hardware.—
Dan Goodin,
Ars Technica,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Whole grains contain all parts of the plant’s whole seed, or the kernel, in its natural form.—
Korin Miller,
Health,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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For chemistry - what harmful chemicals enter the world during manufacturing or are embedded within a material and are then released during use or at end of life?—
Christopher Marquis,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
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Next, Adams encouraged hospitals to empower health care providers to have better conversations with patients and to embed public health information in every encounter.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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At the bottom of the rear panel are two pogo pin connectors, which can charge the device's 5,000mAh battery in a cradle.—
Iyaz Akhtar,
PCMAG,
5 Mar. 2025
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From cradle to old age, this man and the Republican agenda is devastating for women.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
WWD,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This modest beginning took place in the midst of late Abstract Expressionism’s supremacy (Willem de Kooning was a favorite), Andy Warhol’s Factory, the countercultural music of artists like the Fugs, and the plentiful readings and parties of a vibrant downtown scene.—
David S. Wallace,
The New Yorker,
19 Mar. 2025
-
The beginning really took place three or four weeks ago.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In contrast, the energy transition has a long-term basis, with 2050 as the magic date of the Paris agreement to keep global temperature rise below 2 C degrees above pre-industrial times.—
Ian Dexter Palmer,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
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As such, Landecker’s modest but likable outing doesn’t always feel fresh on a scene-by-scene basis.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Root.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/root. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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