1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

delve 1 of 2

noun

Definition of delvenext
archaic
as in cave
a naturally formed underground chamber with an opening to the surface a poem in which a medieval knight encounters a mysterious beauty in a darkened delve

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

delve

2 of 2

verb

as in to excavate

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 delve
Verb
The traditional public library model many of us grew up with has changed as patrons delve into all sorts of offerings currently archived on and off shelves. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 Demo time Early next year, Halliburton will drill the first test well—using an extra-large drill bit—to delve thousands of feet underground vertically and horizontally. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026 The survey did not delve into the reasons why, but that cohort includes many of the parents helping struggling young adult children. — Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026 Tony, taking place over one summer, does not delve into questions about his death. — Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for delve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delve
  1. cave
  2. excavate
  3. cavern
  4. dig
  5. grotto
  6. shovel
Noun
  • Wailea Canyon Activity Pool is a world of its own, with seven waterslides, a lazy river, caves, and a swim-up Grotto Bar, and between that and a daily calendar of cultural activities, families are well looked after.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Sep. 2026
  • During the cave excursion, Kaz and some other guests ask to swim back to the boat.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of cave
Verb
  • Jingdezhen’s Imperial Kiln Institute researches and restores ceramics excavated from an adjacent complex, where pieces for emperors were crafted in kilns whose remains are still visible today.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The comedian and performer has long excavated his Midwestern roots for his stand-up.
    — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of excavate
Noun
  • Floating through crystal-clear water before hiking silently through cathedral-like caverns was easily the highlight of my time in the Mexican Caribbean and a reminder that one of the region's greatest attractions lies well beyond the beach.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026
  • At present, lithium-ion batteries excel at short-term electricity storage (hours), but hydrogen can be stored in large quantities in underground salt caverns for months, balancing seasonal swings in renewable energy production.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of cavern
Verb
  • As the two older girls dig through bins and happily run around with their shopping bags, their stepmom peruses the shelves with her 4-year-old, Galya.
    — Debbie Elliott, NPR, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Requests for heavy construction equipment, in particular, are often rejected; Israeli officials say Hamas fighters could use it to dig tunnels.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of dig
Noun
  • Folk traditions also inform the wellness practices at the resort’s Waldorf Astoria Spa, which includes wet-area grottoes, steam rooms, and a saltwater meditation pool.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2026
  • There are also three restaurants, a grotto-like spa, a wine cellar of 35,000 bottles, and a winter après-ski that draws in the entire valley.
    — Erica Firpo, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of grotto
Verb
  • Castro told investigators he was being attacked with a broom and shovel before opening fire, but prosecutors say surveillance footage contradicted his account.
    — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • And each time, a fireman or a police officer comes over and shovels the remains into a white plastic bucket and carries it away.
    — Jeff Goodell, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of shovel

Phrases Containing delve

Browse Nearby Words

deluxe
delve
delved
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Delve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delve. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of nemesis

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
crayons-in-a-circle
Guess the Color Quiz Questions that use the whole box of crayons.
See All