Synonyms of dug

dug

verb

past tense of dig

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

• excavated
• shoveled
• dredged
• mined
• clawed
• scooped
• burrowed
• delved
• grubbed
• quarried
• spaded
• dug in

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• filled (in)
• smoothed (out or over)

2

as in enjoyed

to take pleasure in

I really dig bluegrass music

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enjoyed
• liked
• loved
• savored
• relished
• fancied
• got off (on)
• took to
• adored
• admired
• went for
• rejoiced (in)
• delighted (in)
• reveled (in)
• appreciated
• got a kick out of
• grooved (on)
• venerated
• revered
• had a soft spot for
• valued
• drank (in)
• treasured
• worshipped
• devoured
• was partial to
• preferred
• cherished
• prized
• ate (up)
• idolized
• feasted (on)
• indulged (in)
• favored
• doted (on)
• cottoned (to)
• wallowed (in)
• luxuriated (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hated
• detested
• disliked
• loathed
• abhorred
• condemned
• despised
• scorned
• abominated

3

as in knew

to have a clear idea of

can you dig what I'm saying?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• knew
• understood
• deciphered
• saw
• grasped
• recognized
• comprehended
• got
• appreciated
• realized
• discerned
• sensed
• conceived
• seized
• made
• perceived
• apprehended
• beheld
• caught
• registered
• assimilated
• decoded
• made out
• picked up on
• tumbled (to)
• caught on (to)
• intuited
• grokked
• twigged
• compassed
• savvied
• digested
• absorbed
• cottoned (to or on to)
• penetrated
• cognized
• fathomed
• took in
• pierced

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• missed
• misunderstood
• mistook
• misinterpreted
• misread
• misconstrued
• misconceived
• misapprehended
• misperceived

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

• poked
• stabbed
• punched
• spurred
• prodded
• knocked
• nudged
• goaded
• drilled
• jabbed
• stuck
• jogged
• propelled
• drove
• pricked
• bored
• punctured
• pierced
• perforated
• chucked
• haled

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dug

The new numbers are interesting all by themselves, but Win Column data man Rahul Deshpande dug deeper to compare several local programs year-over-year. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 15 July 2026

But once again, Spain dug deep, getting clearances and clean tackles as the clock ticked down. — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026

One of Hurst’s colleagues happened upon a hole dug by looters. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 13 July 2026

Then Rubye dug a hole in the cool sand and returned the arrowhead. — John Todd, Outdoor Life, 9 July 2026

The international travel-media platform has dug deep to uncover which parks will leave you flat, and which will create lifelong memories (hopefully of the happy kind). — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 9 July 2026

That rings especially true in the garden, where hands have dug through the earth for centuries, harvesting vegetables and plucking beautiful blossoms. — Shagun Khare, Martha Stewart, 7 July 2026

Adams’ shoulders lurched on the bench, while Richards fell to his knees, dug his afro into the grass, and closed his eyes in pain. — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 7 July 2026

The centerpiece of the operation is a cavernous, largely underground basin dug near Gare d’Austerlitz. — Camille Knight, CNN Money, 4 July 2026