1
as in excavating
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in enjoying
to take pleasure in
I really dig bluegrass music
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in knowing
to have a clear idea of
can you dig what I'm saying?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in poking
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of digging
After eruptions in the 18th century buried farmland under ash, growers adapted by digging large pits called hoyos.
—
Emily Price, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Early Tuesday evening, members of two local Native American tribes were digging three deep holes for the horses that the Forest Service had euthanized.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Last year’s event included standout performances from artists such as Cut Chemist, along with appearances by producers and DJs digging through crates on the show floor.
—Holly Alvarado, Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
With snowfall right around the corner, people may be digging back out the snow shovels and snow blowers to ensure driveways, sidewalks and porches are clear.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 21 Jan. 2026
Removal by digging can take around an hour for a small specimen or all day for a bigger stump.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2026
Last week, The Athletic’s senior tennis writer Matthew Futterman reported that the ATP and WTA held a secret meeting to begin digging the sport out of what has become something of a mess.
—Torrey Hart, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
Shaheed said the school is also avoiding digging at the site altogether, instead working to renovate the existing building.
—Amelia Pak-Harvey, IndyStar, 16 Jan. 2026
This Heat lineup opened Saturday’s game by digging itself in a 17-9 hole before Spoelstra made his first substitution of the night.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
Emily Price, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Early Tuesday evening, members of two local Native American tribes were digging three deep holes for the horses that the Forest Service had euthanized.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Last year’s event included standout performances from artists such as Cut Chemist, along with appearances by producers and DJs digging through crates on the show floor.
—Holly Alvarado, Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
With snowfall right around the corner, people may be digging back out the snow shovels and snow blowers to ensure driveways, sidewalks and porches are clear.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 21 Jan. 2026
Removal by digging can take around an hour for a small specimen or all day for a bigger stump.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2026
Last week, The Athletic’s senior tennis writer Matthew Futterman reported that the ATP and WTA held a secret meeting to begin digging the sport out of what has become something of a mess.
—Torrey Hart, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
Shaheed said the school is also avoiding digging at the site altogether, instead working to renovate the existing building.
—Amelia Pak-Harvey, IndyStar, 16 Jan. 2026
This Heat lineup opened Saturday’s game by digging itself in a 17-9 hole before Spoelstra made his first substitution of the night.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for digging
Verb
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Full removal or excavating the root system as well as the stump is an extensive project that usually requires heavy equipment, soil replacement, and regrading the area.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
19 Jan. 2026
-
The process of excavating and looking back and sifting through the wreckage of everything that happened in order to write this album has been my healing.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This successful squad is led by head coach Omar McMillan, who is really enjoying the ride this season.—
Marielle Mohs,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Visit in January for the best chance of enjoying these beauties in optimal wintry weather.—
Cailey Rizzo,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But knowing the difference between a pot and a planter can help plan your garden and care for both indoor and outdoor plants.—
Alexandra Jones,
The Spruce,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Plumbers say most of these incidents are preventable with basic preparation and knowing how to respond quickly.—
Sergio Candido,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Tanner Jeannot created a turnover in the Vegas zone, poking it free from defenseman Ben Hutton, and Sean Kuraly pounced on the loose puck.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The show could still include a government subplot, maybe some shadowy investigators poking their noses around, but as it was written, the military was just unforgivably lame.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Like Lohrei, Andersson played in his game Saturday, suggesting any prospective deal wasn’t that imminent, though the Flame, an upcoming unrestricted free agent, was seen savoring what might have been his last game at the Saddledome after his team’s win over the Islanders.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
18 Jan. 2026
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That has made this season even more special for Weasler, who is savoring the experience.—
Matt Le Cren,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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By building out a picture of the whales’ health, habits and diet, researchers are deciphering the many ways humans impact their lives and guiding conservation actions that may mean life or death for the orcas.—
Kelso Harper,
Scientific American,
16 Dec. 2025
-
By uncovering these complex vocal structures, this research marks a crucial step in deciphering the meaning behind sperm whale communication.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
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These findings could be consistent with testimony from Peres Magalhães that Banfield manipulated the crime scene after stabbing his wife.—
Lauren del Valle,
CNN Money,
23 Jan. 2026
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After stabbing her, Redd is accused of taking her car and driving off.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Patriots are loving an analogy that head coach Mike Vrabel first brought to the table before Thanksgiving.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The loving chaos wrought by Christine Ebersole and Ciarán Hinds as Alex’s parents in their family home further adds to the subversion of the film, upending expectations of film parents whose son is going through a life-changing event.—
Carole Horst,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Digging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/digging. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
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