1
as in excavated
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 enjoyed
to take pleasure in
I really dig bluegrass music
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in knew
to have a clear idea of
can you dig what I'm saying?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in poked
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 dug
All testers dug the cavernous main compartment, which features stretchy crisscrossing straps that helped lash clothes down, keeping contents organized on the road.
—
Drew Zieff, Outside, 17 Feb. 2026
Chicago residents dug a little deeper into their wallets to pay for city parking, as rates increased due to the city’s lopsided parking meter deal.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Their defenders dug deep into their reserves of effort and instinct to ensure a thorny game did not inflict serious wounds.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Those unable to find cloth or wood dug holes in the ground.
—Drew Gilpin Faust, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Downstream, though, a large dip in the jet stream, or trough, has dug its claws in, bringing wave after wave of Arctic air southward, along with conditions that are ideal for forming powerful winter storms.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
The death of Floyd, after a police officer dug a knee into his neck for more than nine minutes, was a catalyst for the nationwide Black Lives Matter protests that sought law enforcement reforms and accountability.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
This ice cellar was dug by hand, decades prior.
—Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 4 Feb. 2026
New York City public schools will reopen Tuesday after nearly 375,000 students participated in remote learning Monday as the city dug its way out of nearly a foot of snow, Mayor Mamdani said.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2026
Drew Zieff, Outside, 17 Feb. 2026
Chicago residents dug a little deeper into their wallets to pay for city parking, as rates increased due to the city’s lopsided parking meter deal.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Their defenders dug deep into their reserves of effort and instinct to ensure a thorny game did not inflict serious wounds.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Those unable to find cloth or wood dug holes in the ground.
—Drew Gilpin Faust, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Downstream, though, a large dip in the jet stream, or trough, has dug its claws in, bringing wave after wave of Arctic air southward, along with conditions that are ideal for forming powerful winter storms.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
The death of Floyd, after a police officer dug a knee into his neck for more than nine minutes, was a catalyst for the nationwide Black Lives Matter protests that sought law enforcement reforms and accountability.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
This ice cellar was dug by hand, decades prior.
—Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 4 Feb. 2026
New York City public schools will reopen Tuesday after nearly 375,000 students participated in remote learning Monday as the city dug its way out of nearly a foot of snow, Mayor Mamdani said.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dug
Verb
-
From a Forgotten Grave to a Landmark Discovery The artifact was originally excavated about 100 years ago from a cemetery at Badari in Upper Egypt, found in Grave 3932 — the burial of an adult man.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The artifact was originally excavated about 100 years ago from a cemetery at Badari in Upper Egypt.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Palmerston enjoyed a friendly rivalry with Britain’s most famous cat, 10 Downing Street’s Larry, who just celebrated 15 years in his post.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Argentines join celebrations in Buenos Aires Thousands of Argentines gathered in Buenos Aires’ Chinatown to celebrate the Lunar New Year and enjoyed dragon and lion dances on the main stage, alongside martial arts demonstrations.—
Ken Moritsugu,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Company executives knew idle transmission lines could spark wildfires.—
Melody Petersen,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The skate, a shark relative that looks like a stingray, was no surprise since scientists already knew their range extended that far south.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Loamy soil keeps its shape but crumbles easily when poked.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The sheet cake is poked with the handle end of a wooden spoon, creating big holes into which the lemon Jell-o (the glaze) was poured.—
Carolynn Carreño,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Miller liked Codie’s stats, but the coach also emphasized that those nine points and six rebounds didn’t accurately reflect how effective Codie played against an imposing frontline for Missouri.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The Duke of York liked bold ideas.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
It must be understood that historical references to this team are like prompts on an online dating profile — not under any circumstances to be taken seriously, but a fun jumping off point.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The complication is not well understood but appears to be the result of the virus prompting the immune system to attack a certain protein that some brain cells produce.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Brockton Police arrested a man who allegedly stabbed a co-worker at Wollaston Alloys Monday night.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
-
A student was even stabbed at a school after the system didn't detect a 7-inch knife.—
Jeff Wagner,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The couple—who got engaged last summer—stepped out for the 2026 Berlinale Film Festival last night; this time, looking equally loved up but embracing complete polar-opposite fashions.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2026
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The red onion, the jalapeños, loved the ranch component.—
Rebecca Angel Baer,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dug. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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