Synonyms of excavate

excavate

verb

ˈek-skə-ˌvāt 

as in to dig

to hollow out or form (something) by removing earth

workmen are excavating a long tunnel that will eventually replace the aboveground expressway

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dig
• shovel
• dredge
• burrow
• quarry
• delve
• scoop
• claw
• mine
• grub
• spade
• dig in

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fill (in)
• smooth (out or over)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of excavate

The comedian and performer has long excavated his Midwestern roots for his stand-up. — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026

Whether that’s the pursuit of new forms of connection, experimenting with unfamiliar design frameworks such as a new menswear silhouette, or excavating references from the past, the brand approaches each collection with a spirit of inquiry. — Michael Anthony Hall, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Researchers combed through 60,000 bone fragments excavated from the cave, identifying two dozen or so that appeared to closely resemble hominin bones and testing them to see whether the fossils contained any useful biomolecular information. — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026

Paleontologists are now planning to excavate three of the four footprints later this year, then transfer them by helicopter to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 Sep. 2026