1
as in to excavate
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4
as in to poke
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

dig

2 of 2

noun

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 dig
Verb
Those tools stayed in that cave, largely undisturbed, for 6,500 years, until researchers recently dug them up. Lillian Ali, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025 Photos published by the outlet showed crowds of people waiting in the streets outside the building while rescue workers dressed in orange safety gear dug away at the rubble. Sean Neumann, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
Colin Jost and Michael Che had a lot of news to dig into from the week, but nothing elicited a greater reaction from the audience than the latter’s dig at Will Smith‘s first album in two decades. Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 29 Mar. 2025 While signing an executive order last week to shutter the U.S. Department of Education, President Donald Trump got in a few digs on Baltimore schools. Adam Schwartz, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dig
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dig
Verb
  • Templeton promptly contacted the Mississippi State Geological Survey, whose experts carefully excavated the 600-pound (270 kilograms) artifact.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The complaint did not say if the area was excavated or what was wrapped in the plastic.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Van Dijk will not enjoy the replays either but Liverpool’s captain responded in a way that should remind everyone — in the week that Salah’s new contract was announced — about the importance of keeping the Dutchman at Anfield.
    Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Among those to have more recently enjoyed its scenery — parts of Star Wars and James Bond movies have been shot on location there — and social scene are Brad Pitt, Madonna, Mick Jagger, Catherine Zeta Jones, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Snow is best known for being part of the ensemble cast in Universal’s Pitch Perfect and its two sequels.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • It was best known as the home to a long list of A-list stars, filmmakers and Hollywood insiders.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The success of Deadpool & Wolverine was a bright spot in 2024, but that movie soared to success in part by poking fun at Marvel's failings.
    Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Others, of course, love the show's ability to poke fun at the cultural and political zeitgeist of the moment.
    Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Udoka crossed paths with the conversation and lobbed a jab toward Curry, leading to a terse back-and-forth.
    Anthony Slater, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
  • This is a far cry from the golden age of celebrity feuds, when conflict came with mystique, and every public jab was part of a longer game.
    Remy Blumenfeld, HollywoodReporter, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The imitation Punisher logo on Cole’s bullet was no act of flattery, but the most vile of insults.
    Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2025
  • But some Republican registrars took them as an insult, and at least one, Lisa Amatruda of Woodbury, walked out.
    Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Some residents reported seeing police activity at a nearby playground and apartment complex around the time of the shooting.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2025
  • One person was killed and three others were injured Sunday morning in a two-alarm fire at an apartment complex that left dozens of residents displaced, authorities said.
    Harry Harris, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Thirty-five engineers went down shoveling coal into the boilers to keep the deck lit where lifeboats were being launched and to keep the wireless room powered.
    Sean Kingsley, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2025
  • My husband quickly shoveled a path to our garage and the raccoon was more than grateful for the help.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dig.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dig. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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