uproot

verb

up·​root (ˌ)əp-ˈrüt How to pronounce uproot (audio) -ˈru̇t How to pronounce uproot (audio)
uprooted; uprooting; uproots
Synonyms of uprootnext

transitive verb

1
: to remove as if by pulling up
striving to uproot poverty
2
: to pull up by the roots
Many trees were uprooted by the storm.
3
: to displace from a country or traditional habitat
Taking the job would mean uprooting my family.
uprootedness noun
uprooter noun

Synonyms of uproot

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exterminate, extirpate, eradicate, uproot mean to effect the destruction or abolition of something.

exterminate implies complete and immediate extinction by killing off all individuals.

exterminate cockroaches

extirpate implies extinction of a race, family, species, or sometimes an idea or doctrine by destruction or removal of its means of propagation.

many species have been extirpated from the area

eradicate implies the driving out or elimination of something that has established itself.

a campaign to eradicate illiteracy

uproot implies a forcible or violent removal and stresses displacement or dislodgment rather than immediate destruction.

the war uprooted thousands

Examples of uproot in a Sentence

Many trees were uprooted by the storm. Will we ever be able to uproot racial prejudice? Taking the job would mean uprooting my family.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Trees can be uprooted, roads may be blocked and power outages can last from days to weeks. — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 That city has a lot of aging silver maples, which have shallow roots and are more susceptible to being uprooted when strong winds hit. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 By the dawn of the 20th century, though, Yiddish was being uprooted. — Ilan Stavans, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026 The weather service's storm survey found the twister uprooted or snapped numerous large trees and damaged structures and power poles. — Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for uproot

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1620, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of uproot was circa 1620

Rhymes for uproot

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Browse Nearby Words

uproll
uproot
uprootedness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Uproot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uproot. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

uproot

verb
up·​root (ˌ)ə-ˈprüt How to pronounce uproot (audio) -ˈpru̇t How to pronounce uproot (audio)
: to remove by or as if by pulling up by the roots
uproot a vine
families uprooted by war
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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