ROOTS Synonyms: 155 Similar and Opposite Words

roots 1 of 2

noun

plural of root

as in sources

a point or place at which something is invented or provided he insists that insecurity is the root of all jealousy

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Relevance

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

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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

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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

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roots

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of root

as in embeds

to set solidly in or as if in surrounding matter rooted the post securely in the dirt

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 roots

Noun

That fire makes for a potent combination with her swimming roots. — Peter Baugh, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026 Her long, glossy hair was swept dramatically over to one side, with lots of lift at the roots and big, soft waves cascading down to her ribs. — Marci Robin, Allure, 14 Aug. 2026 The materials used can vary widely, including roots, herbs, crystals, stones, coins, cloth, ceramic sherds, pins, powders, and the body parts of animals. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026 The realms of roots music and Americana are also rife with pop possibilities. — Shauna Lyon, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026 Plus, it can also be used on dry roots to revive a blowout between washes. — Iman Balagam, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026 Wilde’s public identity carries Arab roots, Western ambition, fashion, entertainment and a pop-culture instinct that moves quickly. — Advertorial, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026 That, Johnston believes, is a testament to the power of a good neighborhood, where people are given the chance to establish roots. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Aug. 2026 Matt Wood is 5’7, five inches shorter than Jackman, but that would be good enough to satisfy most fans hoping Logan goes back to his comic roots. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 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

Mangione's lawyers and federal prosecutors in Manhattan also discussed a possible guilty plea in his federal case in June, sources previously told ABC News.

— Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
The first task is to inventory potential sources of liability.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of sources

Noun

However, the notion of the emperor’s divine origins strengthened during the Meiji era, when the concept of State Shinto arose.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Gittelsohn, a painter who attended the now-shuttered San Francisco Art Institute in the 1970s, located across the street from the couple’s home, reached out to about 50 scholars and art experts about the origins of the bust.

— Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of origins

Verb

Anthropic's method reportedly embeds an imperceptible mark during text generation, persisting through copying.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
According to the Mayo Clinic, Pilonidal disease usually occurs when hair punctures and embeds itself in a pocket of skin near the tailbone.

— Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of embeds

Noun

This is the story of a 73-year old company that's had a wild, transatlantic ride from its beginnings as a plumbing supply business in Virginia.

— Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026
Hailing from humble beginnings in Greenwood, South Carolina, his experiences with football have always been centered around doing the impossible – dreams his father put in his head at an early age.

— Ken Makin, Christian Science Monitor, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of beginnings

Noun

Athletics The Athletics are led by DH Brent Rooker, who hit 39 homers and stole 11 bases last year, and right fielder Lawrence Butler, an emerging star who added 22 homers and 18 steals.

— Jim Bowden, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
Washington Nationals The Nationals should take the next step forward as their young nucleus, led by shortstop CJ Abrams, who hit 20 homers and stole 31 bases last year, continues to develop and improve.

— Jim Bowden, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025