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

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delve

2 of 2

verb

as in to excavate

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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
And to delve into a book written about him, The Man in the Red Bandana, the Rinaldi book, that's helpful for our students, watching that ESPN documentary, that's helpful for our students. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026 Moving through memory, death, altered consciousness, addiction, violence, fate, and the supernatural, these works delve into what happens when familiar boundaries begin to blur. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026 Ahead, experts delve into the many benefits of attracting owls and share tips on creating an inviting environment for these magnificent creatures. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 5 Sep. 2026 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 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
  • In Yolan, a fine Italian dining restaurant, there’s a see-through cheese cave, housing 80-pound wheels of cheese.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Who was the first person to domesticate dogs, to dare to bring a wolf into their cave and tame it?
    — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of cave
Verb
  • Energy companies might save substantial capital by tapping naturally occurring subterranean structures rather than excavating artificial caverns or modifying depleted reservoirs.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The last set of stairs, which lead to the basement that the couple excavated, is contemporary.
    — Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of excavate
Noun
  • Salt caverns present severe geographical constraints, while aquifers and depleted hydrocarbon fields lack demonstrated, long-term containment integrity for hydrogen gas.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026
  • After lingering over spaghetti alle vongole at Ristorante Lido Azzurro, which hovers over the sea near Amalfi’s harbor, zip around the coast to sea caverns and grottos, pausing for dips in secluded spots away from the crowds.
    — Lane Nieset, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of cavern
Verb
  • Use a long, slender trowel to dig a single-occupancy hole, or dig a wide hole to plant a group of bulbs.
    — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Fifteen yards into his route, James dug inside, turned to catch the pass from Zabransky, and took a little jab step upfield as four Oklahoma defenders closed in.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of dig
Noun
  • The pool flows around a viewing deck with a grotto and slide.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The site near the Spanish border draws millions of pilgrims each year, especially sick and disabled believers hoping for a cure from the famed spring water in the Lourdes grotto where the visions purportedly occurred.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of grotto
Verb
  • But earlier this year, the Navy reservist and his friend shoveled a six-carat diamond from a field in Arkansas where he's found over 300 gems so far.
    — LAURA TURBAY, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Kenya’s President William Ruto and his counterparts from Uganda, Ethiopia, Togo, Benin and Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo led a ground breaking ceremony at the site, shoveling soil to show that work on the refinery has started.
    — Evelyne Musambi, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of shovel

Phrases Containing delve

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deluxe
delve
delved
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Cite this Entry

“Delve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delve. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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