Synonyms of dredge

dredge 1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈdrej 

as in to search

to look through (as a place) carefully or thoroughly in an effort to find or discover something

I've been dredging my memory bank, and I simply can't remember her name

Synonyms & Similar Words

• search
• rake
• comb
• find
• scan
• scour
• locate
• survey
• rifle
• explore
• investigate
• examine
• troll
• hunt (through)
• dig (through)
• rummage
• inspect
• ransack
• discover
• sort (through)
• review
• scrutinize
• detect
• ascertain
• check (out)
• determine
• audit
• track (down)
• find out
• run down
• learn
• probe
• hit (on or upon)
• shake down
• get
• ferret (out)
• study
• pat down
• prospect
• poke (around)
• frisk
• look over
• peruse
• glance (over)
• browse
• descry
• scare up
• snoop
• grub (about)
• skirmish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hide
• lose
• abandon
• ignore
• neglect

dredge (up)

2 of 2

verb (2)

as in to find

to come upon after searching, study, or effort

I might be able to dredge up some old baby clothes to donate

Synonyms & Similar Words

• find
• learn
• discover
• locate
• hunt (down or up)
• get
• track (down)
• scout (up)
• find out
• run down
• dig out
• dig up
• hit (on or upon)
• detect
• turn up
• ferret (out)
• ascertain
• rout (out)
• determine
• root (out)
• scare up
• nose out
• rummage
• descry
• search (for or out)
• sight
• spot
• seek
• look for
• espy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pass over
• miss
• overlook
• lose
• misset
• misplace
• mislay

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dredge

Verb

It’s then dredged in seasoned flour—key for both browning and flavor—before pan-frying in a mixture of olive oil and butter. — Martha Stewart, 21 June 2026

Much of the sand that comes down the Santa Ana River gets regularly dredged and hauled to the groin jetties in West Newport. — Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 18 June 2026

Those included the riverwalk, a parking deck, dredging the river and constructing a canoe chute, putting in fountains, decorative pavers, landscaping and streetlights. — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026

The wetlands surrounding Toronto’s waterfront had been dredged and filled. — Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 3 June 2026

Phrases Containing dredge

• dredge (up)