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
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
The cause of the power surge was still under investigation, with crews looking into faulty breakers, transformers, or possible power surges as a potential root cause.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 31 July 2025
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 July 2025
Major Medicaid bill moves forward Top Republican leadership are convinced there could be enough inefficiencies and abusers of the system that rooting them out could make a big dent in Indiana's growing Medicaid costs.
—Brittany Carloni, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for root
Noun
Understanding the context and motivations allows both partners to address the root cause.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
The cause of the power surge was still under investigation, with crews looking into faulty breakers, transformers, or possible power surges as a potential root cause.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 31 July 2025
Verb
Pull out sections that have attached or rooted on your side of the property line and then cut them back.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 July 2025
Major Medicaid bill moves forward Top Republican leadership are convinced there could be enough inefficiencies and abusers of the system that rooting them out could make a big dent in Indiana's growing Medicaid costs.
—Brittany Carloni, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for root
Recent Examples of Synonyms for root
Noun
-
My sources tell me that the FBI wanted to release more information about Jeffrey Epstein, and Pam Blondi and her DOJ said NO.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 July 2025
-
The senior bonus deduction, Watson points out, applies to any source of taxable income that a taxpayer who is 65 or older has and may not necessarily eliminate all tax on Social Security benefits.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Ward recalled the origin story of when the DCC head, Kelli Finglass, realized that an updo would be best for her during games.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
21 July 2025
-
The origin story behind the ice cream sundae comes swirled with mystery, history, as well as chocolate and even a cherry on top.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
Rogge wasn’t admitted and did a foundation year in Antwerp. 2005 - 2008 Enrolls in the bachelor’s program at the Royal Academy.—
Laird Borrelli-Persson,
Vogue,
15 July 2025
-
The Rangoon operation laid the foundation for further collaboration between India and Pakistan.—
Sam Dalrymple,
Time,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Are these really the first kernels of the Justice League for you in the DCU?—
EW.com,
EW.com,
18 July 2025
-
In its natural state, a whole kernel of wheat has three layers underneath the outer husk.—
Bryant Stamford,
The Courier-Journal,
17 July 2025
Verb
-
Those panels are meant to mimic the rock formations at Mill Bluff State Park – a way to embed Wisconsin’s natural history into the museum’s architecture, according to a MPM press release.—
Sofia Joseph,
jsonline.com,
30 July 2025
-
Busy, for the last few years, trying to embed cricket into the sporting landscape of America.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
Eric Lafforgue/Art in All of Us/Corbis via Getty Images Tropical rainforests are the cradle of life on Earth—and the world's lungs.—
Juan Carlos Navarro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
-
Since beginning science operations in July 2022, JWST has transformed our understanding of the universe, from spotting the earliest galaxies yet to probing exoplanets and cradles of newborn stars.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
The Ticket Act, which is currently being considered in the United States Senate, requires ticket sellers to clearly and prominently disclose at the beginning of the transaction.—
Beck Andrew Salgado,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
The Gate 5 project has been under construction since the beginning of the year.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
And buyouts mean that towns’ tax bases decrease, bringing in less money to apply to future floods.—
John Seabrook,
New Yorker,
21 July 2025
-
After Chandler Simpson popped out — ending his Rays rookie-record hitting streak at 18 games — Ha-Seong Kim and Yandy Diaz walked, loading the bases and bringing up All-Star Junior Caminero.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Root.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/root. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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