Definition of uprootnext
as in to pry
to draw out by force or with effort uprooted the old bridge's pilings upon the completion of its replacement

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb uproot differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of uproot are eradicate, exterminate, and extirpate. While all these words mean "to effect the destruction or abolition of something," uproot implies a forcible or violent removal and stresses displacement or dislodgment rather than immediate destruction.

the war uprooted thousands

In what contexts can eradicate take the place of uproot?

While in some cases nearly identical to uproot, eradicate implies the driving out or elimination of something that has established itself.

a campaign to eradicate illiteracy

When is it sensible to use exterminate instead of uproot?

The words exterminate and uproot can be used in similar contexts, but exterminate implies complete and immediate extinction by killing off all individuals.

exterminate cockroaches

When would extirpate be a good substitute for uproot?

The synonyms extirpate and uproot are sometimes interchangeable, but extirpate implies extinction of a race, family, species, or sometimes an idea or doctrine by destruction or removal of its means of propagation.

many species have been extirpated from the area

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 uproot The storms uprooted trees and destroyed homes. Adam Harrington, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026 In 1954, Peter Tatsis uprooted his life in New York City, moved to Charlotte and purchased the restaurant. Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2026 The storm also uprooted roadside trees and disrupted traffic, according to rescue officials and police. ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026 Thousands of olive trees were uprooted last year, and the Central Command general Avi Bluth made clear that the intention was collective punishment, even though the military denies this. Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for uproot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uproot
Verb
  • The strong currents from flash floods can pull drivers off roadways.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2026
  • After Giants shortstop Willy Adames' throw on Semien's infield single pulled first baseman Jerar Encarnacion off the bag, third baseman Chapman made a throwing error that allowed one run to score.
    CBS News, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Chelsea were a few seconds from going out of the quarter-finals (losing 3-2 on aggregate) when Arsenal full-back Katie McCabe halted a run by Chelsea’s USWNT forward Alyssa Thompson by grabbing Thompson’s ponytail and yanking it, as shown above.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Severino allowed back-to-back singles with one out in the fourth and was yanked for reliever Elvis Alvarado.
    Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Soderbergh extracts some fun from the ensuing cat-and-mouse logistics, from Lori’s meticulous duplication of the Christophers to Julian’s efforts to bluff her into admitting her true intentions.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Defense attorneys had lined up a Texas lab regarded as one of the most respected in the nation, with the head of that lab testifying that the testing and analysis of any DNA that could be extracted would take two weeks or less.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Somberness, as well as anger and sadness, color the majority of the songs plucked from Springsteen's vast catalog to underscore the reason for this 20-date tour.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
  • My niece requested an extra five minutes to say goodbye to the chickens and my nephew insisted on plucking just one more lemon from the yard.
    Lara Kramer, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Uproot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uproot. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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