How to Use root for in a Sentence

root for

phrasal verb
Definition of root fornext
  • The two wore Chiefs sweaters to root for the tight end.
    — Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 1 Jan. 2024
  • Flay roots for them from the sidelines in his speakeasy-style kitchen.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 22 Aug. 2023
  • Fans have come to love and root for the guy who fights for the underdog.
    — Dana Feldman, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
  • McCarthy rips Matt Rosendale for rooting for the Democrats in the midterms.
    — Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2023
  • And what fan of the game will be rooting for anything else?
    — Gerald Marzorati, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2024
  • Audiences couldn’t help hope but root for Norman to hide the body, and the car, in the swamp.
    — Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2024
  • Maria found the clue and the rest of her tribe watched her dig under a tree root for an idol that isn't there.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
  • Bank robbers tend to be fairly easy to root for in movies.
    — J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 25 Sep. 2023
  • No one believes in you, no one’s going to root for you.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Mar. 2024
  • But this was Djokovic’s first time rooting for his friend live at an NBA game.
    — Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2024
  • From Grant High to Harvard to the Huskies, many are rooting for this 6'5 rower.
    — Joseph Gallivan, Axios, 22 July 2024
  • Whether to root for infamy or the salvaging of a scrap of dignity is up to you.
    — Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024
  • There is no doubt who we are supposed to root for and how we’re supposed to feel (Boo, hedge funds!
    — Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2023
  • Fans and those in the industry who have been rooting for Hill know her peace is hard-won.
    — Melena Ryzik, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024
  • Still, by the time the series ends, Maxine is someone viewers want to root for.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 18 Mar. 2024
  • At least one person is rooting for Swift: her boyfriend Travis Kelce.
    — Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2024
  • Ohio State Buckeyes fans who root for the Reds might not have had a problem with it, but others did.
    — Dave Clark, The Enquirer, 21 June 2023
  • Pluto goes direct in your zone of home and roots for the final time today!
    — USA TODAY, 11 Oct. 2024
  • By then, Jenkins, Galloway and Mika will be home — ready to root for gold.
    — Tim Reynolds, oregonlive, 19 Aug. 2023
  • Everybody, all the bad guys are rooting for Trump, man.
    — Time Staff, TIME, 4 June 2024
  • Sprinkle a tiny bit on your roots for the ultimate root boost, to preserve a blowout, or on your way home from the gym.
    — Emily Rekstis, Glamour, 15 Oct. 2024
  • Whether or not the viewer roots for Tom’s lies and schemes, the show’s central couple has very little depth.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024
  • As to the fans who want James gone, please root for another team and leave the Lakers to those of us who understand the game!
    — Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2024
  • Perhaps, though, the addiction to the highlight-reel has lessened the bond between young fans and the need to root, root, root for the home team.
    — Dan Gelston, oregonlive, 19 Aug. 2023
  • Hollywood had its reasons to root for the revival of the Golden Globes this year.
    — Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2024
  • The reprieve from the bloodshed — while still in the early stages — has many rooting for the young president.
    — Annie Correal Federico Rios, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2024
  • Charlotte coach Biff Poggi is the kind of college football coach fans love to root for.
    — Kevin Skiver, Detroit Free Press, 9 Sep. 2023
  • His love of the game >>> Not surprisingly, the East Bay native started out rooting for the A’s.
    — Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2024
  • One of the most basic friendship duties is rooting for your bestie.
    — Jenna Ryu, SELF, 6 Oct. 2023
  • Besides, fans are always going to root for teams that are winners.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'root for.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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