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
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 digging
Messi was trying to get a ball away from an Algerian player when he was seen digging his cleat into the back of the player’s calf.
—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
Masks are still prohibited during firefighters’ most grueling tasks — digging lines to stop fires and directly attacking flames.
—
Noah Haggerty,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
Backyard ideas for dogs that match their instincts Dog digging pit.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
2 July 2026
Its compact size and functional interior and exterior pockets will make zipping through airport security or stopping for gas on road trips a breeze — no more digging through disorganized totes to locate your wallet and phone.
—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
1 July 2026
The teams concentrated their excavation on that single signal and brought him out alive—one of the rescues that gave a grieving country a reason to keep digging.
—
Luis E. Romero,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Cloudflare, a company that oversees much of the internet’s web traffic, is digging its heels in over AI web crawlers.
—
Samantha Elkins,
NBC news,
1 July 2026
When one pond was full, Casad started digging a second one so the excess water wouldn’t inundate his neighbor’s property.
—
Emily Cureton Cook,
ProPublica,
26 June 2026
And honestly, who enjoys digging through mostly empty bottles just to find one tiny pill?
—
Carin Ryan,
Travel + Leisure,
26 June 2026
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
Masks are still prohibited during firefighters’ most grueling tasks — digging lines to stop fires and directly attacking flames.
—
Noah Haggerty,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
Backyard ideas for dogs that match their instincts Dog digging pit.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
2 July 2026
Its compact size and functional interior and exterior pockets will make zipping through airport security or stopping for gas on road trips a breeze — no more digging through disorganized totes to locate your wallet and phone.
—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
1 July 2026
The teams concentrated their excavation on that single signal and brought him out alive—one of the rescues that gave a grieving country a reason to keep digging.
—
Luis E. Romero,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Cloudflare, a company that oversees much of the internet’s web traffic, is digging its heels in over AI web crawlers.
—
Samantha Elkins,
NBC news,
1 July 2026
When one pond was full, Casad started digging a second one so the excess water wouldn’t inundate his neighbor’s property.
—
Emily Cureton Cook,
ProPublica,
26 June 2026
And honestly, who enjoys digging through mostly empty bottles just to find one tiny pill?
—
Carin Ryan,
Travel + Leisure,
26 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for digging
Verb
-
The search began Monday, and involves investigators from the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, the FBI and the State Attorney's Office, who are excavating an area at Dry Creek Ranch after cadaver dogs alerted them during a recent search.
-
The project plans to produce yellowcake using in-situ recovery technology, which circulates an oxygen- and water-based solution through underground ore bodies instead of excavating large open pits.
Verb
-
Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images As Micron customers try and adjust to a new reality of constantly rising memory prices, investors in the company are enjoying historic profit margins.
-
After a morning of spotty showers, the Twin Cities is enjoying sunshine, a nice breeze and highs in the mid-70s Wednesday.
Verb
-
Marketing has always required senior-level judgment and knowing which levers to pull, why and when.
-
This reportedly includes not giving guests many details about the wedding, with people invited instructed to arrive in New York, without knowing when and where the wedding will be.
Verb
-
Calderón, a big, bald man wearing a gold chain and cross-shaped earrings, sat off to the side, amid an entourage of muscular assistants in polo shirts, poking at his phone.
-
If their edges are poking out from your ice sphere, your ice will melt and break apart faster.
Verb
-
In the spirit of savoring a slower lifestyle this summer, Michaels has given its custom printing and framing services a serious upgrade.
-
Carmy vowed to get the restaurant out of debt before savoring some soul-searching and crafting a new recipe for success.
Verb
-
Already, papyrologists are deciphering new texts that indicate other possible authors in the Herculaneum collection, including one of the leaders of the Stoic philosophy school.
-
An education tent will provide free education and resources regarding topics from deciphering Title IX to end-of-life care and self-advocacy.
Verb
-
The film centers on a New York murder trial where a teenage boy is accused of stabbing his abusive dad and a jury has the kid's fate in their hands.
-
In one instance, the suspect is accused of personally taking part in the killing by stabbing a victim in the chest with a knife, the prosecutors said.
Verb
-
The Tartan Army, Scotland’s band of fun-loving supporters, took over Boston for the past 10 days and migrated to South Florida this weekend.
-
Not to the American fan who calls it soccer, waves the flag and doesn't apologize for loving his country.
Cite this Entry
“Digging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/digging. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
