uproot

/ʌpˈruːt/ (bre, ipa) · [əprˈut] /ʌpˈruːt/ (ame, ipa)

uproot — verb

  • uprootpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • uproots3rd person singular
  • uprooting-ing form
  • uprootedpast simple

1. to take a whole plant out of the soil by pulling or digging up its roots

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to take a whole plant out of the soil by pulling or digging up its roots

例句

Lukas uprooted the small tree from the garden and put it into a bigger pot.

uproot + direct object (plant) + from + location

The storm was so strong that it uprooted several oak trees along the road.

同義詞
  • pull up

    less formal, often used for smaller plants or weeds

  • dig up

    emphasises using a tool to remove the plant

反義詞
  • plant

    to put a plant into the ground so it can grow

  • bury

    to place something underground

文法句型

uproot + noun phrase (plant)

用法筆記

The direct object must be a whole plant with roots, not just leaves, fruit, or a branch. The adverb 'gently' or 'carefully' is common because uprooting can damage the plant if done roughly.

常見錯誤

❌The strong wind uprooted all the apples from the tree.
✅The strong wind blew all the apples off the tree.
💡Uprooting is for whole plants with roots, not fruit or leaves.
❌I uprooted the flowers by cutting their stems.
✅I cut the flowers at the stem.
💡Cutting the stem does not remove the roots, so it is not uprooting.

2. to force someone to leave the place where they have been living, often against t

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to force someone to leave the place where they have been living, often against their wishes

例句

The war uprooted thousands of families from their homes in the north.

passive-adjacent: 'war uprooted' — inanimate subject as agent

Adina's company sent her to Tokyo; she uprooted her family from their quiet town.

同義詞
  • displace

    more formal; often used in news reports about refugees or development

  • evict

    specifically legal; forcing someone to leave a property they rent or occupy

  • relocate

    can be voluntary; does not carry the negative sense of force

反義詞
  • settle

    to make a home in a new place permanently

  • remain

    to stay where one is

文法句型

uproot + noun phrase (person/community) + from + location

用法筆記

Common in passive constructions (e.g., 'whole villages were uprooted by the dam project'). The subject is often a large impersonal force such as war, development, or a government policy. Distinguish from sense 1: the object here is a person or community, not a plant.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher uprooted the naughty student to the front row.
✅The teacher moved the naughty student to the front row.
💡Uprooting implies a major, often permanent life change, not a small change of seat.
❌I uprooted my wallet from my pocket.
✅I took my wallet out of my pocket.
💡Uprooting is not used for removing ordinary objects from containers.