Study Guides/English/To Root Out — Meaning and Sentences
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Root Out — Meaning, Usage and Meaningful Sentences

'Root out' is a phrasal verb in English. It means to completely eliminate, eradicate, or find and remove something, especially something harmful or undesirable. It can also mean to discover or expose something that was hidden.

Question (Click to Flip)

What does 'root out' mean?

Answer

'Root out' is a phrasal verb meaning to completely eliminate or eradicate something harmful. It can also mean to find and expose something hidden. Example: 'The new policy aims to root out corruption' (eliminate). 'The investigation rooted out the truth' (exposed/found).

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Key Facts

Root out = to completely eliminate/eradicate OR to find and expose something hidden.

It is a phrasal verb (verb + preposition combination).

Commonly used in formal and semi-formal writing.

Synonyms: eradicate, eliminate, uproot, stamp out, wipe out.

Example: 'The government is trying to root out corruption.'

Meaning of Root Out

Root out (phrasal verb):

Meaning 1 — To completely eliminate or eradicate: • To get rid of something harmful entirely • To remove something from its roots so it cannot grow back • Example: 'The government is trying to root out corruption.'

Meaning 2 — To find and expose (someone or something hidden): • To search for and discover • Example: 'The police managed to root out the informants.'

Pronunciation: /ruːt aʊt/ Part of speech: Phrasal verb (transitive)

Meaningful Sentences Using Root Out

Example sentences:

  1. 'The new commissioner vowed to root out corruption from the department.'

  2. 'The doctor prescribed a treatment to root out the infection completely.'

  3. 'The organisation worked hard to root out discrimination in its policies.'

  4. 'It is not easy to root out deep-rooted social evils overnight.'

  5. 'The investigation team managed to root out the source of the false information.'

  6. 'We need to root out the causes of poverty, not just treat its symptoms.'

  7. 'The school has taken strict measures to root out bullying among students.'

  8. 'Dogs were used to root out the hiding criminals in the forest.'

Synonyms of Root Out

Synonyms (words with similar meaning): • Eradicate — 'They worked to eradicate poverty.' • Eliminate — 'The goal is to eliminate corruption.' • Uproot — 'They uprooted the network of fraudsters.' • Extirpate — formal word, same meaning • Stamp out — 'They stamped out the rebellion.' • Wipe out — 'We must wipe out superstitions.' • Expose — 'They exposed the hidden corruption.' (for sense 2) • Unearth — 'The team unearthed the truth.' (for sense 2)

Antonyms: • Nurture — to care for and encourage growth • Foster — to promote or encourage

Questions and Answers

What does 'root out' mean?+

'Root out' is a phrasal verb meaning to completely eliminate or eradicate something harmful. It can also mean to find and expose something hidden. Example: 'The new policy aims to root out corruption' (eliminate). 'The investigation rooted out the truth' (exposed/found).

Use 'root out' in a meaningful sentence.+

Meaningful sentences using 'root out': 1. 'We must root out corruption to build a better society.' 2. 'The doctor's treatment was designed to root out the infection from its source.' 3. 'Strict laws are needed to root out child labour.'

Is 'root out' formal or informal?+

'Root out' is semi-formal and is appropriate in both formal writing (essays, reports) and informal conversation. It is commonly used in journalism, politics, and academic writing.

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