DREDGING Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

dredging

verb

present participle of dredge

as in searching

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

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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 dredging While retracing his route, revisiting photos, and dredging her memories for clues to his distress, Lotte encounters dangers and pushes her limits. — Monitor Reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Aug. 2026 Most of the gold bullion aboard the Fort Stikine was lost, but dredging operations in the harbor have continued to unearth some of these bricks, including as recently as 2011. — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Aug. 2026 The Trust says the project would involve dredging around 643,000 cubic meters of sediment from the Fal Estuary, with potential risks to seagrass, kelp, maerl beds and the area’s native oyster fishery. — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026 For the best results, make sure to pat the meat completely dry before dredging so the coating will stick. — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 9 July 2026 The agency is now encouraging ports to pay for the initial step in a process that includes studying, obtaining permits and dredging trade waterways. — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 19 May 2026 One of the reasons cited is the need for dredging the marina entrance to Lake Michigan. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026 In the legend, Yu, a heroic figure, saved Chinese civilization from decades of devastating floods by dredging rivers and waterways. — Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025 Pickleball courts, golf course to remain open Plans for the project include dredging the lake, repairing the concrete and foundation at the dam, and replacing a culvert near Flatwoods Road Cove with a bridge. — Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dredging

Verb

Most often, this help comes in digital form — calling a rideshare or searching Google.

— August Lamm, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
Side sleepers searching for a more supportive night's rest should put shopping Nolah's early Black Friday sale at the top of their shopping list.

— Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of searching

Verb

This kind of setup is especially well suited for repetitive tasks, such as scanning books.

— David English, PC Magazine, 4 Nov. 2026
However, the reports also documented improvements in several areas, including roofing and flooring, ADA accessibility, camera and communication upgrades, kitchen equipment, and body-scanning technology, among other things.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of scanning

Verb

That coincides with Chinese research ships spending an extraordinary amount of time apparently surveying undersea cables—not to mention Chinese commercial ships being investigated for cutting cables in both European and Asian waters.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 28 Oct. 2026
Emergency crews in Florida and Alabama are surveying damage wrought by Hurricane Isaias, after the storm bashed into the Gulf Coast as a Category 2 storm Friday night.

— Bill Chappell, NPR, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of surveying

Verb

Investigators were combing through debris scattered across a field in northwest Oregon Thursday after two helicopters collided midair, killing three people and forcing the closure of a nearby highway, officials said.

— Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026
Simon loves finding researchers and combing through their papers to unearth information.

— Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of combing

Verb

Drone technology and artificial intelligence are rapidly reshaping modern warfare, but the world's biggest defense contractors are finding that demand for tanks, fighter jets and other traditional military equipment remains strong.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026
How Image Processing Reveals the Solar Corona Capturing the corona’s delicate structures means finding a way to show its brightest and faintest features in the same image.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of finding

Verb

Beginning around 1980, Judd replaced their garage doors with large spans of glass, opening the interiors to raking desert light.

— Julian Rose, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
Ensure seed-to-soil contact after planting by gently raking the seed into the top ¼-inch of soil.

— Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2026