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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of excavate
Established in 2022 in San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood, ICA SF launched with an exhibition of Jeffrey Gibson comprising a large-scale video installation and holes excavated in the gallery floor.
—
News Desk, Artforum, 29 Oct. 2025
The original crown, which is more than 1,000 years old, was excavated from Cheonmachong tomb in the 1970s and is considered a national treasure.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Despite talk of using nukes to carve a second Panama Canal or excavate Alaskan ports, public concern over radiation and international treaties ultimately shut the program down.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2025
Only then will the researchers begin to excavate using a hydraulic dredge.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for excavate
News Desk, Artforum, 29 Oct. 2025
The original crown, which is more than 1,000 years old, was excavated from Cheonmachong tomb in the 1970s and is considered a national treasure.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Despite talk of using nukes to carve a second Panama Canal or excavate Alaskan ports, public concern over radiation and international treaties ultimately shut the program down.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2025
Only then will the researchers begin to excavate using a hydraulic dredge.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for excavate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excavate
Verb
-
Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
4 Nov. 2025
-
With House control, Democrats could have oversight hearings and dig more into just what is happening now.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
After the funeral was over, the musician remained at his father’s gravesite to shovel the dirt onto his grave, choosing to bury Douglas' body with his own hands.—
Alyssa Davis,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Roughly 24 hours later, Yurov made good on that promise, shoveling a loose puck over the goal line for the eventual game-winner as the Wild beat the Rangers 3-1 at Madison Square Garden.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Excavate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excavate. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share