What does "root out" mean?

To remove or abolish completely.

What is a synonym for "root out"?

Common synonyms include: abate, abolish, abscind, abstract, amputate, annihilate.

verb

verb ·Moderate ·College level

Verb

1
To remove or abolish completely. transitive
"They rooted out all vestiges of corruption."
2
pull up by or as if by the roots wordnet
3
To search for and discover. transitive
"Near-synonym: suss out"
4
destroy completely, as if down to the roots wordnet

"They rooted out all vestiges of corruption."

From the notion of eradication: ripping something out by the roots.