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
Arsenal are able to delve into the market from a position of strength, but the left side of attack was arguably one of the Premier League champions’ weakest areas last season. — David Ornstein, New York Times, 12 June 2026 When asked specifically about 2025 that Legette can’t afford to duplicate, the third-year Carolina Panthers wideout didn’t delve into too many specifics. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026 Then delve into the boutiques of the Design District for some of Europe’s most eye-pleasing fashion and home decor. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 10 June 2026 To delve into Mansfield’s body of work is to see her more clearly. — Literary Hub, 8 June 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
  • With the tall ceilings, crisp air conditioning, and muted brown walls, the dining rooms give off a cave-like vibe.
    — Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 12 July 2026
  • Take a boat tour of Kleftiko and Sykia sea cave, best seen from a private yacht charter.
    — Helen Iatrou, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2026
Definition of cave
Verb
  • The women were originally excavated during the late 19th century from within the funerary complex at Dahshur, an ancient Egyptian necropolis featuring some of the oldest, largest, and best preserved pyramids in Giza.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 17 July 2026
  • The family eventually rebuilt itself, but filming the show excavated old wounds.
    — Eliana Dockterman, Time, 14 July 2026
Definition of excavate
Noun
  • Down a dark stairway is the murky world of Bronc’s Tack Room bar, a cavern with pool tables and the usual Stockyards amusements.
    — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 July 2026
  • To keep up, the property has opened a campsite adjacent to the caverns for RV camping, cabin camping, and classic tent camping.
    — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 4 July 2026
Definition of cavern
Verb
  • Elsewhere, residents have resorted to digging cesspits as latrine stocks run severely low, leading to soil and water contamination, according to Hosni Nadeem Mohanna, a water municipality spokesperson in Gaza City.
    — Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • With the top teams digging deeper into the benches for late playoff runs, developing young players has never been more important.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of dig
Noun
  • Tucked away in a grotto filtered by the shade of olive trees and Aleppo pine, the facility looks like a game of Jenga, badly played.
    — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 6 July 2026
  • The indoor/outdoor water park has a 900-foot lazy river, tube slides, and a heated grotto.
    — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2026
Definition of grotto
Verb
  • Those mounds of soil — not apparent in the photograph — were consistent with digging a hole as dirt is shoveled out and dumped along the edge.
    — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026
  • With the work now being migration, most programs are still shoveling, counting tasks and missing the structure.
    — Maman Ibrahim, Forbes.com, 30 June 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 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on delve

Nglish: Translation of delve for Spanish Speakers

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