dig 1 of 2

1
as in to excavate
to hollow out or form (something) by removing earth a backhoe dug a hole in the backyard to make a swimming pool

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4
as in to poke
to urge or push forward with or as if with a pointed object every time I slowed down, he'd dig me in the ribs

Synonyms & Similar Words

dig

2 of 2

noun

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 dig
Verb
Fire Chief Barry Liss told Pioneer Press the leak was caused by a private subcontractor digging and striking a 2-inch high-pressure natural gas line. Jessi Virtusio, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025 Instead, his owner describes him more like a curious toddler, constantly exploring, digging, and investigating his surroundings. Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
Noun
Maye had his first read open on a dig route but waited until after his receiver’s break to start his throwing motion. Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 2 June 2025 Kraft made a diving dig and subsequent kill to force match point then made one of the most athletic plays of the night with a jump set, faking going over on two, to set up Cannon with the put away. Tim Meehan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for dig
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dig
Verb
  • Overall, archaeologists are thrilled to get the opportunity to excavate and preserve the grave, since historic sites like this one are often destroyed by farmers’ plows.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 June 2025
  • But every early cathode-ray tube color television owed its screen’s red hue to europium, a rare earth element excavated and processed exclusively at the Mountain Pass Mine in San Bernardino County.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • This is fantastic news for parents and kids who can now get in plenty of cannonball practice, as well as the Chicagoans who enjoy swimming a few laps out of doors.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025
  • There was no seating plan or order of the day—guests were free to enjoy the event at their own pace.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • The Trump administration said the strikes destroyed Iran's nuclear infrastructure, but the full extent of the damage is not known.
    Sonam Sheth Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
  • The attack is believed to be part of a hacking spree perpetrated by a cybercrime group known as Scattered Spider.
    Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Cunningham came to the defense of her teammate Clark, retaliating with less than a minute left on the clock after, earlier in the game, the Fever's superstar player was poked in the eye and then knocked to the ground by two separate Sun players.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
  • Then, during a play midway through the third quarter, Clark got poked in the eye by Sheldon and responded by giving the Sun star another shove.
    Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • Later that same day, Trump took to Truth Social to take another jab at Carlson.
    Rebecca Schneid, Time, 18 June 2025
  • Smith's jab at the Commanders is going to fester for some time, as the two teams don't square off until the later stages of the regular season.
    Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • Under it, anyone who defames, insults or threatens the King, Queen, heir apparent, or regent faces three to 15 years in prison.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 26 June 2025
  • To suggest that the lawsuit is a look into the past insults understatement, and in the process calls into question the worth of the FTC.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • Perec wrote about apartments too, in Species of Spaces.
    Joanna Walsh June 18, Literary Hub, 18 June 2025
  • Detectives told prosecutors Pigford tried to flee by climbing out of the fire escape of her apartment prior to her arrest.
    Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Adding insult to injury, the state instead continues to shovel millions of dollars toward health care programs for undocumented immigrants — including at least $12 billion in the Legislature’s budget — while underfunding services Californians are paying for and counting on.
    Diane Dixon, Oc Register, 18 June 2025
  • The highway was shut down for nearly 14 hours as crews shoveled, hand-picked, and vacuumed the loose coins from the road and nearby brush.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dig.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dig. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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