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
Most of the works are from series such as Canal Zone, Protest Paintings, and The Entertainers, digging deep into Prince’s iconoclastic id.
—
Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 8 May 2026
This would presumably come up once Gali became a news story and journalists started digging, but Orna finds out on her own.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 8 May 2026
Mesick reiterated that nothing had ever been found in multiple searches of both Susan and Ruben Flores’ yards, and said that authorities caused $30,000 in damage to Ruben Flores’ property by digging below his deck — a search that yielded nothing.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 6 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
Best travel backpack for airplanes Hate digging through your bags to pull out your laptop or tablet at security?
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
Swimming is allowed, but most kids are happier digging than wading.
—Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026
In about four weeks, crews will start digging a detention pond.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Think of it like digging potatoes.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2026
Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 8 May 2026
This would presumably come up once Gali became a news story and journalists started digging, but Orna finds out on her own.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 8 May 2026
Mesick reiterated that nothing had ever been found in multiple searches of both Susan and Ruben Flores’ yards, and said that authorities caused $30,000 in damage to Ruben Flores’ property by digging below his deck — a search that yielded nothing.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 6 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
Best travel backpack for airplanes Hate digging through your bags to pull out your laptop or tablet at security?
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
Swimming is allowed, but most kids are happier digging than wading.
—Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026
In about four weeks, crews will start digging a detention pond.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Think of it like digging potatoes.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for digging
Verb
-
More than a dozen crews were seen excavating the property in Everman, using heavy equipment and working under canopies, according to aerial video from the scene.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
-
Archaeologists have been excavating areas in Moharam Bek for several months, and the work is ongoing.—
Leigh Anne Miller,
ARTnews.com,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Try the basil martini and an array of mocktails while enjoying Italian multi-course dining.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
-
But bragging about enjoying a hard shell taco nowadays is like showing up to a street takeover in a horse buggy.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Still, the answer to treating PMOS isn’t just patients knowing what to look for and what to do, experts say.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
-
The two have since built an unspoken connection, each knowing when the other is feeling especially bogged down by the conflict.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
The post quickly drew a wave of reactions online, with some users poking fun at both the situation and Jones’ outfit.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
-
Here, Ibrahima Konate has the simple task of poking the ball through United’s midfield, Wirtz swaps passes with Szoboszlai, and then has a decent attempt at goal.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
For now, the team is savoring their moment of triumph.—
Veronique Greenwood,
Time,
12 May 2026
-
Our June/July captures this season beautifully, with dishes meant for not savoring every basket of okra, cucumbers, and peppers, plus barbecue and hamburgers that are crying out for a turn on your grill.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
The study creates new criteria for deciphering old dice and allows archaeologists to further explore how games have evolved over time, researchers say.—
Taylor Nicioli,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The clicks are part of a growing sperm whale phonetic alphabet that researchers at CETI are deciphering.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The man was later convicted of stabbing his girlfriend and is serving 15 years in prison for the attack.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
Preliminary information indicated the stabbing victim may have been mistaken for another person, police said.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Evie’s eccentric family also featured, including fiercely loving single mum Suz (Suranne Jones), sister Izzie (Liv Hill), boyfriend Josh (Adam Long), and frustrating neighbor Callum (Owen Cooper).—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
11 May 2026
-
The New York Knicks are headed back to the Eastern Conference finals -- and their fans are loving every minute of it.—
Andrew Ramos,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Digging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/digging. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
