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
Bring a headlamp to walk your bike through three 1870s railroad tunnels, each hand-dug by crews armed with little more than picks and shovels.
—
Erin Gifford, Outside, 30 Oct. 2025
New beds should be dug or loosened to a depth of 12 inches for varieties with larger bulbs.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2025
But the Senate needs a 60-vote majority of lawmakers to reopen the government, and Democrats have dug their heels in and are demanding the reinstatement of expiring Obamacare subsidies.
—Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 29 Oct. 2025
The pair dug a lot of the holes this program finds itself in right now, granted.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025
To stave off these injuries, IndyStar dug around and spoke with an expert at Purdue Extension about what Hoosiers can do to keep their plants safe and healthy.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 23 Oct. 2025
Hungary is one of Putin’s few allies in the West, and its Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, has repeatedly dug his heels in on Western efforts to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
—Luke McGee, Time, 21 Oct. 2025
From November 2023 to October 2024, volunteers cleared sagebrush, dug post holes and poured concrete, enduring intense heat, strong winds and relentless dust.
—Susan H. Kamei, The Conversation, 17 Oct. 2025
Granted, by going 4-19, Callahan dug his own grave deep enough to be thrown in and buried.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
Erin Gifford, Outside, 30 Oct. 2025
New beds should be dug or loosened to a depth of 12 inches for varieties with larger bulbs.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2025
But the Senate needs a 60-vote majority of lawmakers to reopen the government, and Democrats have dug their heels in and are demanding the reinstatement of expiring Obamacare subsidies.
—Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 29 Oct. 2025
The pair dug a lot of the holes this program finds itself in right now, granted.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025
To stave off these injuries, IndyStar dug around and spoke with an expert at Purdue Extension about what Hoosiers can do to keep their plants safe and healthy.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 23 Oct. 2025
Hungary is one of Putin’s few allies in the West, and its Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, has repeatedly dug his heels in on Western efforts to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
—Luke McGee, Time, 21 Oct. 2025
From November 2023 to October 2024, volunteers cleared sagebrush, dug post holes and poured concrete, enduring intense heat, strong winds and relentless dust.
—Susan H. Kamei, The Conversation, 17 Oct. 2025
Granted, by going 4-19, Callahan dug his own grave deep enough to be thrown in and buried.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dug
Verb
-
The team excavated several key places on the site, studied cores of soil and conducted an additional LiDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging, survey of the area.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The Wondras were identified as suspects three years ago by Fruitland Police Chief JD Huff after law enforcement excavated their backyard, searching the area for human remains.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Kenny has enjoyed critical success with his previous shorts.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Bailey brought him home for a second night, where Saito caught up on laundry, enjoyed a hot shower and cooked udon noodles for his hosts.—
Kelly Meyerhofer,
jsonline.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But Phoenix himself knew that addiction did not discriminate.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
After filming wrapped, someone who supposedly knew everything about the season contacted the women and said that Tamra had been leaking every detail about production.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Lovato poked fun at herself, dressing as a meme from 2014.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Marcus poked out his bottom lip, but no whining this time.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Katya hadn’t liked his plan, Ryan said.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Like me — a reluctant movie guy who never liked racing, and now somehow has three racecars.—
Chris Cardillo,
Rolling Stone,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Helm is understood to be a feature, a concept.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
By freezing and visualizing what happens in the developer, the team turned a long-unsolved, guesswork-heavy process into one that can be seen, understood, and controlled.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Like the other eight couples who were killed, they were found shot and stabbed in their cars.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
-
As president of the United States, he was stabbed in the heart with a letter opener by a septuagenarian cuckold.—
Joy Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Vitale loved it, posing for one photo after another, signing one scrap of paper after another, making one joke about his bald head after another.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Nov. 2025
-
And though the two aren’t senior royals and are reportedly well-loved by everyone in the family, there’s no doubt that association with them is considered controversial these days.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dug. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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