root 1 of 2

1
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

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root

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word root distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of root are inception, origin, and source. While all these words mean "the point at which something begins its course or existence," root suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily discerned.

the real root of the violence

When would inception be a good substitute for root?

While the synonyms inception and root are close in meaning, inception stresses the beginning of something without implying causes.

the business has been a success since its inception

When is it sensible to use origin instead of root?

The synonyms origin and root are sometimes interchangeable, but origin applies to the things or persons from which something is ultimately derived and often to the causes operating before the thing itself comes into being.

an investigation into the origin of baseball

Where would source be a reasonable alternative to root?

In some situations, the words source and root are roughly equivalent. However, source applies more often to the point where something springs into being.

the source of the Nile
the source of recurrent trouble

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 root
Noun
Next To Shrubs Woody shrubs often have shallow roots that compete with roses for moisture and nutrients. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2025 During active growth, that water is constantly replenished from the roots. Heather Zidack, Hartford Courant, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
The Sundance audiences actively wanting to see what’s next and rooting to see something special (why else make the trip?). Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 27 Mar. 2025 After ordering at the counter, patrons might drop by the newspaper rack for a copy of the Times or Variety, then head to plush chairs so comfy some people root there all day. Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for root
Recent Examples of Synonyms for root
Noun
  • Tesla's lower-cost Model Y: US launch pushed back as sources reveal production challengesNeed a break?
    Mike Scarcella, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • What To Know The man was on the fifth floor of Trump Tower and in an emotionally disturbed state, The New York Daily News reported, citing a police source.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The mystery is three-dimensional: The humongous number of parameters obscuring what the model can do; the open data, internet data, on which the model is based (as opposed to in-house, clean data); and the source, the origin of the model’s development.
    Gil Press, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • These asteroids are a direct window into the building blocks of our solar system and the origins of life.
    Patrick M. Shober, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • For many of us, these quiet, intimate moments formed the foundation of our lifelong relationship with beauty.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2025
  • This initiative would later become the foundation for my work in corporate social responsibility and higher education.
    Jay Garcia, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Go whole hog on whole grains Hearty and versatile, whole grains — such as barley, brown rice, buckwheat, bulgur, corn, millet, oats, quinoa, rye and whole wheat — contain the entire grain kernel, including the bran, germ and endosperm.
    Andrea Kane, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2025
  • As with most of his career as a conspiracist, RFK is tying together little kernels of truth into a false narrative and then framing it as just asking common-sense.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • That rapid transformation is embedded in one business philosophy of Hart’s: flexibility.
    Xandra Harbet, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • China, by contrast, is the factory of the world—deeply embedded in global supply chains, commodity flows, and infrastructure networks.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Lina Zeldovich November 6, 2018 The cradle of civilization may not support our civilization anymore.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Soon, a humble little rock cradle appears, painstakingly assembled and fiercely defended.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Type 1: The Starting Goal The first type of financial goal is the one set at the beginning of a financial journey.
    Andrew Rosen, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • There were language gaps, especially at the beginning.
    Essence, Essence, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The potential for building more sophisticated internal AI agents capable of handling multi-step tasks with access to large internal knowledge bases increases.
    Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • On a per capita basis, West Virginia would see the largest Medicaid cut in the nation, if it’s enacted.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 14 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Root.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/root. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.

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