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
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 dug
They’re dug and divided in the fall or winter, then kept in cold storage until they are sent to you at the correct time for planting.
—
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026
Police found evidence of a hole that had been dug near the creek, but questioned how a pair of legs could have gone unreported for days after the initial discovery.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
Drury dug the puck out, dipped behind the net and found Kelly in front unmarked.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
There is a mass burial with rows and rows of what appear to be individual graves dug side by side.
—Shira Pinson, NBC news, 3 Mar. 2026
The last gasp of oxygen evaporated the moment Giddey dug his heels into the hardwood, abandoning the play in his frustration.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
As a result of declining water levels in recent years, the NPS has already dug a deeper bed in at least one part of the lake, shut down one of the lake’s marinas, and extended boat ramps to reach the falling water line.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 2 Mar. 2026
Earlier this year, once Capcom revealed the character of Leon was back, that photo went viral after internet sleuths dug it up.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Feb. 2026
Late last year, the Polish border guard found tunnels dug under the wall.
—Elizabeth Flock, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026
Police found evidence of a hole that had been dug near the creek, but questioned how a pair of legs could have gone unreported for days after the initial discovery.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
Drury dug the puck out, dipped behind the net and found Kelly in front unmarked.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
There is a mass burial with rows and rows of what appear to be individual graves dug side by side.
—Shira Pinson, NBC news, 3 Mar. 2026
The last gasp of oxygen evaporated the moment Giddey dug his heels into the hardwood, abandoning the play in his frustration.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
As a result of declining water levels in recent years, the NPS has already dug a deeper bed in at least one part of the lake, shut down one of the lake’s marinas, and extended boat ramps to reach the falling water line.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 2 Mar. 2026
Earlier this year, once Capcom revealed the character of Leon was back, that photo went viral after internet sleuths dug it up.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Feb. 2026
Late last year, the Polish border guard found tunnels dug under the wall.
—Elizabeth Flock, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dug
Verb
-
The plan even included transporting heavy equipment, such as bulldozers, in case buried nuclear material had to be excavated.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Idaho State Police, with assistance from local authorities, as well as search and rescue groups, excavated the backyard over several days — starting in a small spot near the fence line, and eventually removing and sifting dirt from the entire area.—
Alex Brizee
March 5,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For most of his time in office, American citizens have enjoyed affordable gas prices, especially compared to the average fuel costs during the Biden administration.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Mar. 2026
-
My family enjoyed a daring dip in the outdoor pool before heating up in the sauna at Allas Pool, a seaside bathing center in the heart of the city.—
Allison Tibaldi,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Hours before the hearing was set to begin, the GOP-run committee released a report alleging Walz and Ellison knew about credible fraud concerns years ago and didn’t act on them, despite their assertions otherwise, purportedly costing taxpayers billions.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
-
In 2013, the ALA knew of 307 challenges to reading materials in American libraries — both public and school libraries.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Later in the week, as other analysts poked holes in the Citrini scenario, the market recovered some of its losses.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Second baseman Ethan Mendoza looks like a completely different player, so much so that teammates have poked fun at him in interviews.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In my industry, people are sometimes very concerned about female characters not being liked by audiences, even though it’s been proven over and over that audiences really respond to real women.—
Outside,
Outside,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Continue reading … MEDIA TURNING A BLIND EYE — Mamdani's wife liked posts celebrating Oct 7 terror attacks but gets soft treatment from the press.—
,
FOXNews.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
However, the country is understood to have large stockpiles and may be capable of producing hundreds more each week, military experts reportedly told The National newspaper.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The exact mechanism behind these skeletal changes isn’t fully understood.—
Jennifer Byrne,
Popular Science,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Officers found the mother of four stabbed to death in the back of the store.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Michelle Adams, 39, was stabbed to death and three women, ages 36, 37 and 40, were wounded.—
David K. Li,
NBC news,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Requiring no special pan, this festive cake is loved by both kids and adults.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Preston loved music, his grandmother said, particularly gospel and rap.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dug. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
