EXCAVATION Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

excavation

noun

Definition of excavation

as in trench

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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 excavation The find was made during the mission’s 2026 excavation season in the area known as the Mariette Necropolis, north of Egypt’s Saqqara archaeological site. — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 8 Sep. 2026 Burgum said excavation would begin during the next two weeks at Memorial Circle near Arlington National Cemetery. — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026 The investigation found that the unpermitted excavation degraded sensitive habitats, according to a commission fact sheet. — Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 The building at the excavation was previously thought to have served as a prison, due to the shoddiness of its construction and its indifference to aesthetics. — Jim Greer, SPIN, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for excavation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for excavation

Noun

Firefighters hacked through wood, slate and concrete trench lines, a process the Reserve Organization of America says likely generated silica-containing dust.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
The front office also re-signed key interior trench pieces, keeping offensive guard Sam Cosmi locked up alongside defensive tackle Daron Payne, while adding offensive line depth with veteran additions to protect Daniels.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of trench

Noun

Wailea Canyon Activity Pool is a world of its own, with seven waterslides, a lazy river, caves, and a swim-up Grotto Bar, and between that and a daily calendar of cultural activities, families are well looked after.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Sep. 2026
During the cave excursion, Kaz and some other guests ask to swim back to the boat.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of cave

Noun

Floating through crystal-clear water before hiking silently through cathedral-like caverns was easily the highlight of my time in the Mexican Caribbean and a reminder that one of the region's greatest attractions lies well beyond the beach.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026
At present, lithium-ion batteries excel at short-term electricity storage (hours), but hydrogen can be stored in large quantities in underground salt caverns for months, balancing seasonal swings in renewable energy production.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of cavern

Noun

The rabbit does not control the rain that floods its burrow or the drought that kills its food.

— Chris Lee, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
During the season, female tarantulas remain underground and begin emitting strong pheromones to attract males, who leave their burrows in hopes of finding mates, per the University of California.

— Julia Gomez, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of burrow

Noun

It was then left to the two Mercedes drivers to swap the lead back and forth for several laps, only for that to cause concern on the team’s pit wall due to Verstappen’s continued presence.

— Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
At the time, Lukas was working to pass the PACT Act, a law expanding health care benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other hazards during overseas deployments.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of pit

Noun

Pantheon plans to reverse the damage by blocking off ditches to control the water table and significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026
Officers with the Cold Spring Police Department found a motorcycle in the southbound ditch along with a man who police say was not wearing a helmet.

— Riley Moser, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of ditch

Noun

So instead, Ziegfeld brought video of their snake-charming act, then hammered home their carnival sideshow bona fides by knocking a nail into their own nasal cavity in what was called the Human Blockhead act.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026
Alcohol played a major role in deaths from malignant tumors in the head and neck, including lip, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx and cancer of the esophagus.

— Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of cavity

Noun

The underwater drone, tethered to the ship with cables and about the size of a small car, was just above the ocean floor as the researchers and pilots searched for furrows potentially left by whales.

— Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
In fossils, tooth marks often look like punctures or furrows.

— Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 15 July 2026

Definition of furrow

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excavating

excavation

excavations

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“Excavation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excavation. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of excavation

noun

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