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
Work has been ongoing since the feds first froze funds in October, with a massive tunnel-boring machine standing by, ready to start digging through bedrock under Jersey City.
—
Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
Prepare the soil by digging a shallow trench and sprinkling compost along the trench base.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Feb. 2026
Armando Escobedo, an electrician for the city, was on his knees, digging through loose wiring next to a massive light stanchion overseeing the field.
—Sam Blum, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
At 35 years old, Beau is the longest-serving groundhog in Georgia, far older than the average wild groundhog, and enjoys a life of naps, digging tunnels, and indulging in hashbrowns in his mansion, Weathering Heights.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
The other grabbed his shovel and started digging.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 1 Feb. 2026
Customers are also digging through the drawers for scrap gold and unwanted or broken jewelry.
—Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Excavators digging at Sizewell C found 321 silver coins last year, dating back between 1036 and 1044.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The 81-centimeter (31-inch) alder-tree staff is 430,000 years old, and may have been used for digging or for food preparation.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
Prepare the soil by digging a shallow trench and sprinkling compost along the trench base.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Feb. 2026
Armando Escobedo, an electrician for the city, was on his knees, digging through loose wiring next to a massive light stanchion overseeing the field.
—Sam Blum, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
At 35 years old, Beau is the longest-serving groundhog in Georgia, far older than the average wild groundhog, and enjoys a life of naps, digging tunnels, and indulging in hashbrowns in his mansion, Weathering Heights.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
The other grabbed his shovel and started digging.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 1 Feb. 2026
Customers are also digging through the drawers for scrap gold and unwanted or broken jewelry.
—Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Excavators digging at Sizewell C found 321 silver coins last year, dating back between 1036 and 1044.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The 81-centimeter (31-inch) alder-tree staff is 430,000 years old, and may have been used for digging or for food preparation.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for digging
Verb
-
This method uses directional drilling technology to place waste hundreds of meters underground within stable geological formations rather than excavating large tunnels in a mine.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
-
While excavating the River Wear, archaeologists uncovered more than 800 whetstones — stone tools that were used to sharpen weapons and other tools — as well as 11 stone anchors believed to be linked to river transport.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In the middle of it all, songwriter Diane Warren paused to take a selfie, still evidently enjoying the giddy thrill of being in a room full of fellow hopefuls even after 17 times.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Although quantifying morale and momentum is hard, by the end of 2025, the Democrats were enjoying an upturn in both.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The level of supervision gives parents a chance to rest easy, knowing that their kids are in good hands.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Typical zero-knowledge proofs require a demonstration of how to build what’s called a simulator, which can re-create the steps of the proof without actually knowing the secret solution.—
Peter Hall,
Scientific American,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Shorebirds and seagulls waded along a sandbar, poking their beaks into the sand to hunt for food.—
Max Chesnes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Ink decorates her hands and wrists, poking out from under the sleeves of her gray cashmere cardigan.—
Nicola Dall'Asen,
Allure,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After all, any chance to save a few dollars is one worth savoring.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Despite the grind of an NFL career, Jarrett is savoring life as a dad.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Health care professionals are now caught between deciphering new legislation and their duty to provide quality care.—
Eleanor Sobel,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
-
As an avalanche and dead bodies ratchet up the suspense, Zach must lean on his mother’s wisdom to fight for his life while deciphering a confusing undercurrent of danger, violence and betrayal among the survivors.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Brown is accused of stabbing Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, on a Charlotte light rail train last year, a brutal attack that drew national outrage after surveillance video of the killing was released.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The man accused of stabbing a Butler County Sheriff's Office deputy has been charged, according to court records.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Hašek is athletic royalty in the small, hockey-loving country in central Europe.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Volkswagen’s The Force, 2011 Just try to resist smiling while watching this adorable Volkswagen commercial, which combines youthful ambition and some loving sleight of hand.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Digging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/digging. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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