grassroots

[gras-roots, -roots, grahs-] / ˈgræsˌruts, -ˌrʊts, ˈgrɑs- /

NOUN

ordinary citizens

Synonyms

WEAK

Middle America common people hoi polloi laboring class middle class proletariat rank and file the masses wage-earners working class working people

ADJECTIVE

involving ordinary people, rather than politicians

Synonyms

STRONG

democratic local middle-class neighborhood provincial working-class

WEAK

broad-based everyday popular populist widespread

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The golf industry is beginning to adapt to these pressures, but local golf courses must lead at the grassroots level.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

But the gap between grassroots fundraising and a $15-million build remains formidable.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

Booth and Cornbill mention the new levy on arena and stadium shows which sees £1 from each ticket shows go towards grassroots venues, but say this is more centred around gig instead of club venues.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

The move does not apply to any grassroots or recreational sports programmes, and the IOC said the findings of any tests would not be applied retrospectively.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

Harris argued that the top-down influence of parents is overwhelmed by the grassroots effect of peer pressure, the blunt force applied each day by friends and schoolmates.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt

Vocabulary lists containing grassroots

Idioms and Expressions, List 4

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