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Definitions

root for

VERB
address
Synonyms
STRONGEST
call discuss talk
STRONG
approach bespeak discourse greet hail lecture memorialize orate pitch pontificate sermonize spiel spout stump
WEAK
deliver speech deliver talk get on a soapbox give speech give talk take the floor
Antonyms
STRONGEST
listen refrain
STRONG
be quiet
WEAK
avoid cut disregard ignore overlook pass shun slight
VERB
advocate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
back campaign for defend encourage favor further justify press for promote propose push recommend support tout uphold urge
STRONG
advance advise bless bolster boost champion countenance plug side vindicate
WEAK
argue for be in corner brace up build up get on bandwagon give a leg up give a lift go for go to bat for go with hold with plead for plump for ride shotgun for run interference for say so speak for spread around stump for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
block conceal condemn deny disapprove discourage dissuade hide hinder hurt oppose refuse reject
STRONG
decrease halt prevent undermine
WEAK
assail attack criticize impugn protest
VERB
assist
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aid back benefit boost cooperate expedite facilitate reinforce support sustain take care of
STRONG
abet collaborate further hype plug puff push relieve serve stump thump
WEAK
bail out do for give a boost give a leg up give a lift go down the line for go for go to bat for go with grease the wheels lend a hand make a pitch for open doors put on the map ride shotgun run interference for stand up for work for work with
Antonyms
STRONGEST
block check delay discourage halt handicap hinder hurt impede injure obstruct prevent stop undermine
STRONG
conceal frustrate hide
WEAK
thwart
VERB
encourage
Synonyms
STRONGEST
advocate aid assist bolster boost develop ease favor further improve invite promote reassure reinforce spur strengthen subsidize support
STRONG
abet advance approve back befriend brace comfort console countenance endorse fortify forward foster instigate prevail push relieve sanction second serve solace succor sustain uphold
WEAK
back up egg on get behind give a leg up go for pat on the back pull for side with smile upon subscribe to
Antonyms
STRONGEST
block cease decrease disapprove discourage dishearten dissuade halt hinder hurt impede injure obstruct oppose prevent protest reject stop thwart undermine weaken worsen
STRONG
annoy condemn disagree ignore neglect refuse trouble upset worry
WEAK
confuse dampen deject depress deter dispirit uninspire
VERB
favor
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accept advocate appreciate approve back champion choose encourage endorse pick praise support
STRONG
approbate commend countenance esteem eulogize fancy honor incline patronize prize sanction value
WEAK
be in favor of be on one's side buck for flash on for go for hold with lean toward look up to opt for regard highly single out take a liking to take a shine to take to think well of tilt toward
Antonyms
STRONGEST
censure criticize disagree disallow disapprove discourage dissuade neglect oppose protest refuse reject
STRONG
deny dislike disrespect hate
WEAK
disfavor hinder hurt thwart
VERB
hail
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acclaim acknowledge applaud cheer commend greet praise recognize recommend welcome
STRONG
compliment exalt glorify
WEAK
hear it for kudize
Antonyms
STRONGEST
censure denounce disapprove discourage dissuade refuse
STRONG
castigate condemn criticize debase humiliate
WEAK
disdain dishonor disparage dribble drip slight whisper
VERB
help
Synonyms
STRONGEST
back benefit bolster boost cooperate encourage further maintain promote push save serve stimulate support
STRONG
abet accommodate advocate ballyhoo befriend cheer endorse hype intercede patronize plug prop puff relieve sanction second succor sustain uphold
WEAK
be of use buck up do a favor do a service do one's part go to bat for go with lend a hand open doors see through stand by stick up for stump for take under one's wing work for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
block condemn delay depress discourage dissuade halt harm hinder hurt impede neglect obstruct prevent refuse stop undermine
STRONG
conceal disapprove frustrate hide ignore oppose protest
WEAK
check counteract decrease injure worsen

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.

Seo’s Janet is as feisty as she is loyal, making it easy to root for her and her quickly budding romance with McKnight’s worthy Alex.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

Generally if somewhat simplistically speaking, it’s not hard to discern whom to root for in a Shakespeare tragedy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 14, 2026

"How talented he is and how well respected he is by his players, and what a great person he is, that just makes him someone you want to root for."

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2026

“The hope is the audience cheers for him, right? They root for him,” Tartakovsky concluded.

From Salon • Feb. 1, 2026

I root for her, and I feel like that must help because someone pops on a Wagner CD, although I don’t know that the rousing “Ride of the Valkyries” is what I had in mind.

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.