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
On the side of the house, another group of students was digging the ditch where the electrical lines would lie.
—
Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Scientists say that shells of reptiles caught by children may have been used as ladles or digging devices by early humans over 100,000 years ago.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
My favorite moments happen when Blake leans into the goofiness of his online persona while moving away from the type of gimmicky rap he’s known for and digging deeper into the pop-rap and guitar-driver melodies he’s always explored.
—Donald Morrison, Pitchfork, 14 Apr. 2026
Choose fiberglass for tough tasks such as digging or moving soil.
—Midwest Living, 14 Apr. 2026
Jim Parsons, too, understands the assignment as Rose's gold-digging mother, as do our adorably charming Jack Dawson (Rousouli) and hilariously uppity Cal (John Riddle).
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026
With funding from the Global Environment Facility, or GEF, the Djibouti government spent $150,000 digging a borehole to access underground water and another $100,000 fitting it with a solar pump that would fill a series of large concrete water tanks.
—Julie Bourdin, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026
And with so many deals dropped daily, sifting through the online outlet can feel as overwhelming as digging through bargain bins IRL.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
The work required felling primeval trees measuring six feet in diameter and digging a deep trench through the marsh to accommodate boat traffic.
—Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026
Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Scientists say that shells of reptiles caught by children may have been used as ladles or digging devices by early humans over 100,000 years ago.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
My favorite moments happen when Blake leans into the goofiness of his online persona while moving away from the type of gimmicky rap he’s known for and digging deeper into the pop-rap and guitar-driver melodies he’s always explored.
—Donald Morrison, Pitchfork, 14 Apr. 2026
Choose fiberglass for tough tasks such as digging or moving soil.
—Midwest Living, 14 Apr. 2026
Jim Parsons, too, understands the assignment as Rose's gold-digging mother, as do our adorably charming Jack Dawson (Rousouli) and hilariously uppity Cal (John Riddle).
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026
With funding from the Global Environment Facility, or GEF, the Djibouti government spent $150,000 digging a borehole to access underground water and another $100,000 fitting it with a solar pump that would fill a series of large concrete water tanks.
—Julie Bourdin, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026
And with so many deals dropped daily, sifting through the online outlet can feel as overwhelming as digging through bargain bins IRL.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
The work required felling primeval trees measuring six feet in diameter and digging a deep trench through the marsh to accommodate boat traffic.
—Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for digging
Verb
-
The project, which was initially approved in 2001, involves clearing 65 acres of the landfill’s unused property and excavating 7 million cubic yards of dirt and rock to accommodate South Orange County’s waste disposal needs through 2102, extending the facility’s operating life by 50 years.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Stern has dedicated his career to excavating the emotional landmines and complex origin stories that shape the lyrics, the songs, the chart-topping hits that land singers and songwriters into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.—
Malina Saval,
Rolling Stone,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Belltower Green is the city’s urban greenspace and gardens, and is the spot for enjoying summer concerts, seasonal parades, and a splash pad during the warmer months.—
Katie Riley,
Southern Living,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Yedlin, a Seattle native, feels at home in the mountains and said his wife and two young children are enjoying the quiet, family-friendly life in Utah.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Guardiola used a four-man ‘non-press’, where City’s forwards formed a line and waited for their opponents to find a pass, knowing that Arsenal’s centre-backs — and cup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga — had a comparatively limited passing range.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Every now and again, Monica, as much savvy therapist as all-knowing seer, interrupts Jean’s first-person account to offer guidance.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For his part, Anderson possessed a wry sense of humor and wasn’t above poking fun at himself.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
This second season is once again poking at inertia and stasis and how romantic relationships can crumble into a series of self-destructive choices.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
From massages that melt away tension and high-performance facial rituals that reveal radiant skin, to holistic therapies designed to renew every fiber of your being, the experience focuses on reconnecting with yourself and leisurely savoring the true art of self-care.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
-
In astrology, Venus rules everything from our love life and personal value systems to our idea of pleasure, beauty and what makes life worth savoring.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 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
-
Police were called to the area by witnesses who reported a woman was actively stabbing a man.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Delisle pleaded guilty to stabbing his father in April 2025 and lighting the family’s mobile home on fire in the 1000 block of 3rd Street North, according to a judgment of conviction.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Because loving our neighbor means more than kind words.—
Jim DeFede,
CBS News,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The structure feels as though it were built by a blobitecture-loving parent, then inherited by a child obsessed with the clean lines of mid-century design.—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Digging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/digging. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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