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
After the soil was fertilized, Ryan dug holes near the corners of the towers to allow the developing vines to grow along the vertical strings that stretch to the top of the support.
—
Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 12 Jan. 2026
Spa Not content with growing sideways, Claridges has also dug deep—120 feet to be precise—to impress guests with its gorgeous, 7,000 square-foot subterranean spa.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Jan. 2026
Christian Munck never owned one of the 80 million copies sold, but dug deep into the dramaturgy once he was cast as Langdon in the Palo Alto Players’ production.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2026
The building was constructed in 1886 using stone from Joliet, Illinois, clay bricks dug from Crown Point earth, and fired by a brick company that once sat where Bulldog Park is today.
—Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
The coach, Mike McDaniel, proved a creative play-drawer, but dug an 0-3 hole in the season’s opening 12 days and beat just one winning team, Buffalo.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
Tavares dug the puck from the boards to Robertson, who beat Talbot with a slap shot.
—CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
And on the front lines, activists, athletes, celebrities and journalists dug a deepening cultural divide.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 2025
Shafts nearly 2,300 feet (700 m) deep were dug and served as additional entry and exit points, allowing work to proceed in parallel rather than at just two ends.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2025
Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 12 Jan. 2026
Spa Not content with growing sideways, Claridges has also dug deep—120 feet to be precise—to impress guests with its gorgeous, 7,000 square-foot subterranean spa.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Jan. 2026
Christian Munck never owned one of the 80 million copies sold, but dug deep into the dramaturgy once he was cast as Langdon in the Palo Alto Players’ production.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2026
The building was constructed in 1886 using stone from Joliet, Illinois, clay bricks dug from Crown Point earth, and fired by a brick company that once sat where Bulldog Park is today.
—Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
The coach, Mike McDaniel, proved a creative play-drawer, but dug an 0-3 hole in the season’s opening 12 days and beat just one winning team, Buffalo.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
Tavares dug the puck from the boards to Robertson, who beat Talbot with a slap shot.
—CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
And on the front lines, activists, athletes, celebrities and journalists dug a deepening cultural divide.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Dec. 2025
Shafts nearly 2,300 feet (700 m) deep were dug and served as additional entry and exit points, allowing work to proceed in parallel rather than at just two ends.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dug
Verb
-
Among them, a hominin femur that was excavated from the cave bears teeth marks.—
Stephanie Pappas,
Scientific American,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The team found multiple 60,000-year-old quartz arrowheads excavated from the Umhlatuzana Rock Shelter in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal Province.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Shapiro has enjoyed robust public approval ratings and carries a reputation as a disciplined messenger and powerhouse fundraiser.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Yates subsequently joined the San Diego Padres and enjoyed the longest sustained success of his career before bouncing to Atlanta, Texas and the Dodgers over the past three seasons.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Several people remained suspects until their deaths, including nightclub owner Mark Hansen, who knew Short.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Police haven't yet said if the suspect and victim knew each other, as their investigation continues.—
Jasmine Viel,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Open Book author has previously poked fun at the tuna gaffe.—
Erin Clements,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Scott Adams, who kept cubicle denizens laughing for more than three decades with Dilbert, the bitingly funny comic strip that poked fun at the absurdity of corporate life, before racist remarks got him pink-slipped, died Tuesday.—
Chris Koseluk,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
An article in Naval History described how Loomis liked to demonstrate the ship’s Colt machine guns to local officials.—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
-
As Joseph tried to mesh some of his own system with a more Vic Fangio-style scheme run previously by Ejiro Evero in Denver — a style many of the returning players liked — the new coordinator found himself inside a burning defensive building.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The danger is that a story might not be understood.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Jan. 2026
-
As a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ, King understood that the spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he was anointed to deal with the problems of the poor.—
Willie Wilson,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Conneely was stabbed multiple times in the neck and back, Tierney said.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
-
According to White Lake Township Chief of Police Daniel Keller, as officers were en route to the home, the couple's son told authorities that his father had stabbed his mother.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Olivo says watching Maggie linger reminded her how deeply loved the cat had been, and how strong that bond remained.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Consumers are pushing for the use of this flavorful fat in their favorite fast-food fries—it’s loved for its rich flavor, and its high smoke point is more than ideal.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dug. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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