1
as in sources
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 origins
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 foundations
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 essences
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 embeds
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of roots
Mattha Busby,
Rolling Stone,
3 July 2026
Simply apply 1 to 2 inches of natural mulch, like bark mulch, over the roots of your plants to lock in soil moisture and keep the mulch line at least 1 inch away from the plant's stems.
—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 July 2026
His update on the C-cut began just below the chin, with extra lift at the roots and inward-curving lengths that narrowed toward the ends to create the illusion of a heart.
—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
3 July 2026
And that without this European environment and these European roots, the economic outlook is, at the very least, clouded.
—
Mike Sheen,
CNBC,
3 July 2026
Best Things to Do McKee Botanical Garden Filled with water lilies and tropical plants, McKee Botanical Garden is a lush oasis with roots dating back to the 1930s.
—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
3 July 2026
Funk recommends mulching around the base to retain moisture and keep roots cool during the summer.
—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
3 July 2026
The front porch of Brown’s childhood home had been framed by a pair of live oaks, a reminder of the importance of perseverance and deep roots.
—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
3 July 2026
Frequent visits to Wisconsin to share quality time — as well as scotcheroos and ham roll-ups — with her family (including Calvin, 14, Charlotte, 11, and Julian, 6) help keep her grounded to her roots.
—
Karla Walsh,
CNN Money,
3 July 2026
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
15 June 2026
Cousteau roots his pitch in economics.
—
Justin Worland,
Time,
28 May 2026
This is a high-spirited opening for curious neighbors and travelers alike, with a mischievous sense of fun that firmly roots guests in their destination.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Louisiana dirty rice is a tasty meat-and-rice dish that roots its flavor in aromatic Cajun seasoning and the holy trinity vegetables.
—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
12 Jan. 2026
For Pritchard, whose Stanford roots date back to 2005, the chance to return as head coach was both emotional and deeply personal.
—
Harold Gutmann,
Mercury News,
3 Dec. 2025
Natural rock formations rise through the living room floor, a detail that roots the design in the hillside itself, and a full renovation of an existing home brought it in line with the style of the main house while still maintaining its own identity.
—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
23 Oct. 2025
In a strong culture, everyone roots their daily decisions in a desire to be in it to win it; there's a sense of ownership, pride and belonging.
—
Alex Brueckmann,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
As well, his longstanding appreciation of country music roots his art in respect and reverence of the genre's history.
—
Marcus K. Dowling,
Nashville Tennessean,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
The roots of the fall-out stretch back to 2019, before filming for the franchise’s fourth feature instalment began, when Margera signed a wellness agreement with the producers which committed him to sobriety amid his struggles with alcoholism.
—
Mattha Busby,
Rolling Stone,
3 July 2026
Simply apply 1 to 2 inches of natural mulch, like bark mulch, over the roots of your plants to lock in soil moisture and keep the mulch line at least 1 inch away from the plant's stems.
—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 July 2026
His update on the C-cut began just below the chin, with extra lift at the roots and inward-curving lengths that narrowed toward the ends to create the illusion of a heart.
—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
3 July 2026
And that without this European environment and these European roots, the economic outlook is, at the very least, clouded.
—
Mike Sheen,
CNBC,
3 July 2026
Best Things to Do McKee Botanical Garden Filled with water lilies and tropical plants, McKee Botanical Garden is a lush oasis with roots dating back to the 1930s.
—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
3 July 2026
Funk recommends mulching around the base to retain moisture and keep roots cool during the summer.
—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
3 July 2026
The front porch of Brown’s childhood home had been framed by a pair of live oaks, a reminder of the importance of perseverance and deep roots.
—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
3 July 2026
Frequent visits to Wisconsin to share quality time — as well as scotcheroos and ham roll-ups — with her family (including Calvin, 14, Charlotte, 11, and Julian, 6) help keep her grounded to her roots.
—
Karla Walsh,
CNN Money,
3 July 2026
Verb
Instead, Nowell roots the band’s sound in the mid-’90s and keeps his vocal mannerisms as close to Bradley’s as possible.
—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
15 June 2026
Cousteau roots his pitch in economics.
—
Justin Worland,
Time,
28 May 2026
This is a high-spirited opening for curious neighbors and travelers alike, with a mischievous sense of fun that firmly roots guests in their destination.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Louisiana dirty rice is a tasty meat-and-rice dish that roots its flavor in aromatic Cajun seasoning and the holy trinity vegetables.
—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
12 Jan. 2026
For Pritchard, whose Stanford roots date back to 2005, the chance to return as head coach was both emotional and deeply personal.
—
Harold Gutmann,
Mercury News,
3 Dec. 2025
Natural rock formations rise through the living room floor, a detail that roots the design in the hillside itself, and a full renovation of an existing home brought it in line with the style of the main house while still maintaining its own identity.
—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
23 Oct. 2025
In a strong culture, everyone roots their daily decisions in a desire to be in it to win it; there's a sense of ownership, pride and belonging.
—
Alex Brueckmann,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
As well, his longstanding appreciation of country music roots his art in respect and reverence of the genre's history.
—
Marcus K. Dowling,
Nashville Tennessean,
7 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for roots
Noun
-
The budget is also expected to include additional funding for Fair Fares and NYC Kids RISE, a college savings plan program, sources told The News.
-
Late last week, it was reported that Mangione had been in talks with federal prosecutors about a possible plea deal, but that had fallen aside, sources familiar with the matter said.
Noun
-
The origins of the Fourth of July date back to July 4, 1776, when the United States unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence.
-
Unlike the first two installments, Silo season 3 features a split-timeline narrative that introduces a host of new characters and delves into the mystery of the silo's origins.
Noun
-
Their radical act wasn't to reject law, but to defend it, believing the British government had abandoned its own legal foundations.
-
Policymakers should treat it as a reminder that the country’s foundations are still cracking — and if the drift continues, the next rupture will be something darker.
Noun
-
One notable upgrade is the Sheet Mask Boost Mode, specifically designed to help hydrating essences penetrate deeper into the skin.
-
In this process, neuroscientists assess the emotional benefits of natural essences using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
Verb
-
Khakar then embeds these reminders into her personal calendar and asks AI to organize her pitch schedule around the rest of her life.
-
Their proprietary InfuseRFID technology, which embeds durable, washable RFID tags directly into garments, won the Sustainable Product Award at the 2026 SEAL Business Sustainability Awards.
Noun
-
Egypt, one of the word’s cradles of civilization, is also a vibrant, modern country.
-
This 10-pack of plastic melon cradles was a lifesaver last year once my pumpkins started maturing late July.
Noun
-
Roberts has an American Dream story - from his beginnings in an orphanage in South Korea.
-
Here's to family, friendship, new beginnings, and making the most beautiful memories yet.
Noun
-
Food and drink Seasonality and local sourcing are the cornerstones of Indigo, the main restaurant that sits on a mezzanine floor overlooking the lobby bar.
-
Curriculum reform was one of the cornerstones of Louisiana’s rise in literacy achievement.
Cite this Entry
“Roots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roots. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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