Root out Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation Usually implies removal of something bad or harmful with serious effort. The school board is looking to root out bullying. Pro Tip 2/3Active Effort Indicates a proactive and determined action, not just waiting for change. They plan to root out inefficiency in the workflow. Pro Tip 3/3Not Instant The process is often time-consuming and may involve thorough investigation. The audit team took months to root out the financial discrepancies.