root 1 of 2

1
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

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root

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word root distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of root are inception, origin, and source. While all these words mean "the point at which something begins its course or existence," root suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily discerned.

the real root of the violence

When would inception be a good substitute for root?

While the synonyms inception and root are close in meaning, inception stresses the beginning of something without implying causes.

the business has been a success since its inception

When is it sensible to use origin instead of root?

The synonyms origin and root are sometimes interchangeable, but origin applies to the things or persons from which something is ultimately derived and often to the causes operating before the thing itself comes into being.

an investigation into the origin of baseball

Where would source be a reasonable alternative to root?

In some situations, the words source and root are roughly equivalent. However, source applies more often to the point where something springs into being.

the source of the Nile
the source of recurrent trouble

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 root
Noun
The root of the problem lies within the Constitution. Claire B. Wofford, The Conversation, 13 June 2025 But here, in the narrows of the canyon, where Temescal Creek tickled the roots of sycamores and cooled the air beneath the heavy branches of valley oaks, Young lighted up with the enthusiasm of an amateur botanist. Greg Goldin, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
Verb
Plus Grumpy’s advice on how to root a boxwood cutting. Steve Bender, Southern Living, 7 June 2025 The Carolina Panthers have ties to all of those postseason teams, which could lead a casual or first-time UFL watcher to finding some sort of rooting interest for the UFL playoffs. Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for root
Recent Examples of Synonyms for root
Noun
  • Yerevan has since sought to diversify its defense sources, reducing arms imports from Russia to as low as 10 percent by 2024.
    Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
  • Climate change and shifting food sources are also causing species-wide population declines, the experts said.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 8 June 2025
Noun
  • In conversation with Forbes Life, Stoddard speaks about her travels during her research, the origins of ralli and the future of this age-old, beautiful craft.
    Sonya Rehman, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
  • The movie charts the influential British rock group's origin story in the late 1960s, from their earliest days – and how everybody wasn't all about that now-iconic name – to their meteoric rise as one of the world's biggest bands.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 14 June 2025
Noun
  • Harry Williams, president of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, said the order should serve as a call to action for corporations, foundations and lawmakers to redouble support for HBCUs and their students.
    Cheyanne Mumphrey, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
  • In short, schools can now directly pay players through licensing deals — a concept that goes against the foundation of amateurism that college sports was built upon.
    Eddie Pells, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 June 2025
Noun
  • If wheat is infected during flowering, the fungus colonizes, killing the florets, and kernels don’t develop.
    Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
  • The poisonous kernels are responsible for a significant number of suicides and homicides, particularly in rural areas of South Asia.
    Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • This also requires embedding AI within core operational processes rather than treating it as a side initiative.
    Muamer Cisija, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Steel plates have been embedded in the asphalt to protect roads from 140,000-pound tanks.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 8 June 2025
Noun
  • The president was undeterred, and the flights resumed the very next day, filled with cardboard file boxes that had been repurposed into makeshift cradles.
    Jim Axelrod June 9, CBS News, 9 June 2025
  • The lifestyle appeal of the M2 Pro is instantly obvious in its eye-catching design, which sees a roughly cubic, tan-colored body attached to a crisp metallic supporting cradle within which the projector can be rotated to get its images appearing at the right height on your wall or screen.
    John Archer, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • Only Part of It Hails From Ingolstadt At the beginning of the 1990s, both Audi and Porsche needed help.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 10 June 2025
  • Setting realistic expectations from the very beginning will create more meaningful relationships with clients that are built on trust.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • Jesus Sanchez had two hits including a home run, Calvin Faucher retired James Wood with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth and the visiting Miami Marlins beat the Washington Nationals 4-3 on Saturday.
    By, Miami Herald, 15 June 2025
  • In this example, the stock is now worth $100,000 and has a tax basis of $65,000, and the investor’s long-term capital gains rate is 28.8%.
    Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Root.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/root. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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