as in to dig
to hollow out or form (something) by removing earth
workmen are excavating a long tunnel that will eventually replace the aboveground expressway
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Recent Examples of excavate
The project plans to produce yellowcake using in-situ recovery technology, which circulates an oxygen- and water-based solution through underground ore bodies instead of excavating large open pits.
—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 June 2026
The villa is still being excavated and studied, but archaeologists have so far uncovered a grand entrance hall with an atrium and sunken basin, known as an impluvium, surrounded by a mosaic floor with black and white botanical and geometric designs.
—
Barbie Latza Nadeau,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Oh Whale excavates Oregon’s infamous 1970 exploding-whale incident through the eyes of journalist Paul Linnman, who broke the story at age 23 and has been answering questions about it ever since.
—
Peter White,
Deadline,
19 June 2026
Ancient ruins at Hisarlık, Turkey, excavated by Heinrich Schliemann in the 1870s, have been identified as the remnants of Troy.
—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for excavate
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 June 2026
The villa is still being excavated and studied, but archaeologists have so far uncovered a grand entrance hall with an atrium and sunken basin, known as an impluvium, surrounded by a mosaic floor with black and white botanical and geometric designs.
—
Barbie Latza Nadeau,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Oh Whale excavates Oregon’s infamous 1970 exploding-whale incident through the eyes of journalist Paul Linnman, who broke the story at age 23 and has been answering questions about it ever since.
—
Peter White,
Deadline,
19 June 2026
Ancient ruins at Hisarlık, Turkey, excavated by Heinrich Schliemann in the 1870s, have been identified as the remnants of Troy.
—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for excavate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excavate
Verb
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Senegal will really have to dig deep in order to come away with a point.
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While starter Tyler Phillips held steady for six innings, giving up five hits and two runs while striking out four, Alejandro Osuna and Elias Díaz each knocked in runs in the top of the eighth that dug the Marlins a hole their offense couldn’t come out of.
Verb
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With the work now being migration, most programs are still shoveling, counting tasks and missing the structure.
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Since arriving Wednesday in La Guaira, Sosa has scrambled to pull people from the rubble with his old mining pickaxe and shovel in the absence of national rescue teams.
Cite this Entry
“Excavate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excavate. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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