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Definitions

root out

VERB
annihilate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
crush decimate demolish eradicate exterminate extinguish finish off liquidate negate obliterate quell raze wipe out
STRONG
abate abolish abrogate annul erase expunge extirpate invalidate massacre murder nullify quash ruin slaughter undo vitiate wrack wreck
WEAK
blot out do in rub out take out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bear build construct create fix
STRONG
aid approve assist establish give birth help institute legalize permit protect ratify sanction save support validate
WEAK
preserve revive
VERB
dig
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bore bulldoze burrow clean discover dredge drill enter excavate exhume go into gouge harvest penetrate scoop search shovel sift uncover unearth
STRONG
channel deepen depress drive grub hoe investigate mine pierce pit probe produce quarry root rout sap spade till tunnel undermine
WEAK
break up concave dig down fork out scoop out turn over
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bury cover fill
VERB
eradicate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abolish annihilate eliminate erase expunge exterminate extinguish stamp out uproot weed out wipe out
STRONG
abate demolish deracinate efface extirpate liquidate obliterate off purge raze scratch scrub squash torpedo total trash waste
WEAK
blot out do away with mow down rub out shoot down take out unroot wash out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
build create ratify
STRONG
construct keep schedule set up
WEAK
aid assist establish fix help institute plant
VERB
extirpate
Synonyms
STRONG
abate abolish annihilate demolish deracinate efface eliminate eradicate erase excise expunge exterminate extinguish kill raze remove
WEAK
blot out cut out exsect wipe out
Antonyms
STRONG
add build construct establish fix help institute plant put in revive
WEAK
leave alone
VERB
ferret out
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ascertain bring to light drive out get at sniff out uncover unearth
WEAK
be on to chase chase down determine dig out dig up disclose discover elicit extract follow hunt hunt down learn nose out penetrate pick up on pierce probe pry pursue quest scout out search out seek smell out smoke out trace track down trail worm out
VERB
obliterate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
annihilate black out eliminate eradicate erase expunge exterminate knock out obscure ravage smash wash out wipe out
STRONG
ax bog cancel cover cut defeat delete efface extirpate finish kill level liquidate nix off scratch scrub sink squash torpedo total trash waste zap
WEAK
KO X out blot out blue pencil do in finish off knock off mark out rub off rub out shoot down take apart take out wipe off face of earth
Antonyms
STRONGEST
add aid assist bear build create fix help revive
STRONG
begin construct initiate keep leave alone save schedule set up start
VERB
uproot
Synonyms
STRONGEST
annihilate demolish displace eradicate exterminate overthrow overturn wipe out
STRONG
abate abolish deracinate eliminate excavate exile extirpate extract move remove weed
WEAK
blot out dig up do away with pull up tear up weed out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bear build create fix help
STRONG
ratify remain stay welcome
WEAK
plant settle sow
VERB
wipe out
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abolish annihilate cancel decimate eliminate eradicate erase exterminate extinguish kill obliterate remove slaughter uproot
WEAK
X out abate black out blot out delete efface expunge extirpate massacre slay
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bear create establish fix give birth help institute plant ratify sow uphold
WEAK
build

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 case drew widespread attention and revived concerns that the department had failed to root out a culture of intolerance that led to past scandals.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

The post-tournament debrief needs to root out the reason behind such tame showings in defeat by Scotland, Ireland and Italy.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

Last month, Kim vowed to root out "evil" and scolded lazy officials at a major meeting of Pyongyang's top brass.

From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026

Kennedy launched his “Make America Healthy Again” movement with promises to root out what he saw as toxins plaguing children.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 7, 2026

That age-old weakness of brethren you always root out and you always use.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee