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
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
Driven by the childhood memory of a murder near her home, McNamara spent years as an armchair sleuth, digging through records to try and solve cold cases, especially that of the Golden State Killer.
—Rebecca Hannigan, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Ward also encouraged fellow park visitors not to give up on their first day of digging.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
With this latest decision, ownership grabbed a shovel and kept digging deeper.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Plant in well-draining soil to prevent root rot by digging a hole twice the width of the root ball, but no deeper than the root ball.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
Bagsmart Toiletry Bag Instead of digging around her carry-on, using a toiletry bag is helpful for keeping her makeup and skincare organized in one place.
—Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 2 Jan. 2026
Some were students working their way through school, digging the independence from their families that that kind of money gave them.
—Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
The question now is whether members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will penalize a challenging film for not doing the sort of business that a fluffier film might have, or reward Johnson for digging deeper than ever before.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
Driven by the childhood memory of a murder near her home, McNamara spent years as an armchair sleuth, digging through records to try and solve cold cases, especially that of the Golden State Killer.
—Rebecca Hannigan, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Ward also encouraged fellow park visitors not to give up on their first day of digging.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
With this latest decision, ownership grabbed a shovel and kept digging deeper.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Plant in well-draining soil to prevent root rot by digging a hole twice the width of the root ball, but no deeper than the root ball.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
Bagsmart Toiletry Bag Instead of digging around her carry-on, using a toiletry bag is helpful for keeping her makeup and skincare organized in one place.
—Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 2 Jan. 2026
Some were students working their way through school, digging the independence from their families that that kind of money gave them.
—Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
The question now is whether members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will penalize a challenging film for not doing the sort of business that a fluffier film might have, or reward Johnson for digging deeper than ever before.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for digging
Verb
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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
-
On the south side of Sulawesi, the Leang Bulu Bettue cave has attracted interest from scientists who have been excavating it since 2013.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
He’s been spotted in the Bay Area, living his life, presumably enjoying the microclimates and the ability to put the pedal to the metal on Tasman Drive.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Guests then dined at the base of the pyramids before enjoying an afterparty and dessert in another area.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The couple, who did not grow up knowing one another because of estrangements in their families, faced criticism from both sets of parents for the union.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Another resident, Carolyn Reeves, said not knowing if the annexation would bring in commercial or residential development raises suspicion.—
Elizabeth Campbell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The former child actor dove into his speech by first poking fun at his Home Alone fame.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
-
In June 2021, Megan posted a birthday tribute to Stellan, poking fun at his lack of an Instagram account in the caption.—
Kelsey Lentz,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The views of the harbor from this cozy and colorful local haunt, particularly at sunset, make the experience one worth savoring.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Imagine strolling through streets lined with architecture that whispers tales of the past, discovering unique treasures in shops housed within historic buildings, and savoring local flavors in a setting that exudes timeless charm.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Reiner is charged with murder in the stabbing deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.—
Sarah Jones,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Maria remembers Jaime stabbing Carillo in the abdomen with a kitchen knife.—
Kevin Maurer,
Rolling Stone,
13 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 14 Jan. 2026.
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