Definitions

root for

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address v.
advocate v.
assist v.
encourage v.
favor v.
hail v.
help v.

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.

See Examples For:

root for

I am a queer man, and I root for the New England Patriots, which I have done for a quarter century from 300 miles away, in the heart of Philadelphia Eagles country.

From Salon ● Sep. 9, 2026

You can root for people or you can judge them.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026

“We root for the rebels in ‘Star Wars’ and want them to defeat Darth Vader, or we side with the Fremen in ‘Dune.’

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

The word “credit” traces back to the Latin root for “to believe.”

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 9, 2026

We so rarely have anyone to root for at this point in the Games.

From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

root for

Example Sentences

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