root out
Dig up entirely
Root out means to find and remove something unwanted or hidden, especially through persistent effort.
The metaphor is agricultural—pulling a plant up by its roots so it can't grow back.
You root out corruption, root out inefficiency, root out the source of a problem.
The phrase implies thoroughness: not just trimming the surface but eliminating the thing entirely.
Make known publicly
- revealMake something visible
- unearthExcavate or reveal hidden
- bring to lightExpose hidden information
- detectNotice or discover
discover · find · unmask · dig up · track down · hunt down · turn up · lay bare
Destroy utterly, completely
- exterminateDestroy completely, every one
- eliminateRemove completely
- destroyCause complete ruin
- abolishOfficially end a practice
annihilate · obliterate · purge · expunge · excise · remove · dislodge · pull up
expose
Make known publicly
- revealMake something visible
- unearthExcavate or reveal hidden
- bring to lightExpose hidden information
detect · discover · find · unmask · dig up · track down · hunt down · turn up · lay bare · disclose
extirpate
Destroy utterly, completely
- exterminateDestroy completely, every one
- eliminateRemove completely
- destroyCause complete ruin
abolish · annihilate · obliterate · purge · expunge · excise · remove · dislodge · pull up · get rid of
probe
Thorough examination or tool
- examineStudy with attention
- scrutinizeInspect with close attention
- inspectStudy closely for flaws
search · sift through · look into · dig into · explore · research · analyze · check · audit · review
purge
Eliminate unwanted elements
scour · sanitize · decontaminate · expel · banish · oust · flush · disinfect · fumigate
- root outeradicate, hunt down, track down, unearth, expose
- detectiondetect, discover, find, identify, locate
- discoveryfind, finding, discovery, discover, uncovering
- revealreveal, disclose, expose, unmask, unveil
- gardening termsgrowing, blooming, wilting, pruning, grafting
- cancelcancel, annul, nullify, invalidate, revoke