uproot

[uhp-root, -root]

verb (used with object)

1. to pull out by or as if by the roots: root.

   The hurricane uprooted many trees and telephone poles.

2. to remove violently or tear away from a native place or environment.

   The industrial revolution uprooted large segments of the rural population.

3. to destroy or eradicate as if by pulling out roots: root.

   The conquerors uprooted many of the Native traditions.

   Synonyms: remove, eliminate, banish, extirpate

4. to displace, as from a home or country; tear away, as from customs or a way of life.

   to uproot a people.

verb (used without object)

1. to become uprooted.

uproot

/ ʌpˈruːt /

verb

1. to pull up by or as if by the roots

2. to displace (a person or persons) from native or habitual surroundings

3. to remove or destroy utterly

Other Word Forms

• uprootedness noun
• uprooter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of uproot¹

First recorded in 1610–20; up- + root ²

Example Sentences

Over the weekend, Santa Barbara County’s roads were caked with mud and trees were uprooted amid heavy rain, but no major injuries were reported.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Harvey and her brother were uprooted from their family home in Detroit and moved to suburban Southfield to live with their grandmother.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

There have already been reports of damage from several provinces, including roofs torn off homes, shattered glass panels at hotels, and trees uprooted or snapped along city streets and rural roads by powerful gusts.

Read more on BBC

He hit seven fours before his off stump was uprooted by Brad Evans.

Read more on Barron's

Scenes like this played out across the province, with rescuers delayed due to uprooted trees and major infrastructure being destroyed.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• annihilate 
• demolish 
• displace 
• eradicate 
• exterminate 
• overthrow 
• overturn 
• wipe out