Synonyms of dig

dig 1 of 2

verb

ˈdig 

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

• excavate
• shovel
• dredge
• delve
• claw
• scoop
• burrow
• quarry
• mine
• grub
• spade
• dig in

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fill (in)
• smooth (out or over)

2

as in to enjoy

to take pleasure in

I really dig bluegrass music

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enjoy
• savor
• like
• love
• relish
• take to
• get off (on)
• fancy
• rejoice (in)
• adore
• appreciate
• admire
• get a kick out of
• delight (in)
• revel (in)
• go for
• groove (on)
• treasure
• venerate
• prefer
• drink (in)
• revere
• have a soft spot for
• eat (up)
• devour
• cherish
• worship
• feast (on)
• prize
• be partial to
• indulge (in)
• value
• cotton (to)
• idolize
• dote (on)
• favor
• wallow (in)
• luxuriate (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hate
• dislike
• loathe
• detest
• abhor
• despise
• condemn
• scorn
• abominate

3

as in to know

to have a clear idea of

can you dig what I'm saying?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• know
• understand
• decipher
• see
• recognize
• comprehend
• grasp
• appreciate
• get
• discern
• realize
• make
• seize
• sense
• perceive
• conceive
• apprehend
• assimilate
• catch
• decode
• register
• make out
• tumble (to)
• behold
• twig
• grok
• catch on (to)
• cotton (to or on to)
• intuit
• pick up on
• compass
• savvy
• cognize
• fathom
• digest
• absorb
• take in
• penetrate
• pierce

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• miss
• misunderstand
• misread
• misinterpret
• mistake
• misconstrue
• misconceive
• misperceive
• misapprehend

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

• poke
• stab
• spur
• punch
• knock
• prod
• nudge
• goad
• drill
• chuck
• stick
• bore
• jog
• propel
• perforate
• jab
• drive
• pierce
• puncture
• prick
• hale

dig

2 of 2

noun

1

as in jab

a quick thrust

gave him a dig in the ribs with my elbow

Synonyms & Similar Words

• jab
• punch
• poke
• push
• stab
• lunge
• nudge
• shove
• dab
• stick
• jerk
• jam
• jog

2

as in insult

an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings

got in a couple of digs about lawyers at my friend's expense

Synonyms & Similar Words

• insult
• sarcasm
• slap
• poke
• outrage
• slight
• dart
• attack
• name
• indignity
• cut
• affront
• barb
• offense
• epithet
• dis
• personality
• slur
• gird
• disgrace
• taunt
• brickbat
• sneer
• mock
• shame
• put-down
• criticism
• abuse
• gibe
• jeer
• swipe
• quip
• invective
• disapproval
• vituperation
• knock
• torture
• catcall
• dishonor
• opprobrium
• torment
• slam

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• compliment
• praise
• commendation
• applause
• acclaim
• accolade
• flattery
• adulation

3

as in apartment

digs plural a room or set of rooms in a private house or a block used as a separate dwelling place

check out my new digs on the north side of town

Synonyms & Similar Words

• apartment
• lodgings
• diggings
• flat
• tenement
• penthouse
• suite
• condo
• studio
• efficiency
• wing
• railroad flat
• duplex
• condominium
• gallery
• walk-up
• duplex apartment
• efficiency apartment
• studio apartment
• saloon
• salon
• garden apartment
• tenement house
• granny flat
• bed-sitter
• apartment building
• flatlet
• apartment house
• floor-through
• triplex
• cohousing
• maisonette

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dig

Verb

Graves are dug by hand and bodies are only buried in caskets or shrouds made of biodegradable materials like bamboo or cotton. —Dorany Pineda, Fortune, 2 May 2026

There's nothing worse than digging through boxes to find your skincare after a long day. —Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 2 May 2026

Noun

The Carter County Museum hosts dinosaur camps for kids, while the Great Plains Dinosaur Museum offers five-day adult dig expeditions and a junior paleontologist program, a one-day dig experience for children ages 5-11. —Alex Temblador, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026

Residents would be moving into the new digs, which is equipped with sky lounge and co-working spaces, in 2028. —Desiree Mathurin april 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026