dig 1 of 2

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

Relevance

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
So the girls dug back into the box of blocks and pulled out an orange card. Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025 Running full speed and without breaking stride, the Red Sox center fielder took one glance at the wall, leapt up and dug his cleat into the cushion to give himself an extra boost. Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
Waters’ rant about Osbourne continued with another dig at one of Ozzy’s most infamous moments. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2025 This exclusive resort is perfect for families, group trips or even couples that love spacious getaway digs. Rana Good, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dig
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dig
Verb
  • Archaeologists excavated the underground burial and found a secondary connecting structure.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
  • While excavating the ruins, archaeologists from the University of Haifa's Zinman Institute of Archaeology were struck by a floor design at the entrance of an ancient building.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Microwave ovens, which came along much later, enjoyed more widespread ownership and usage, both above 90%, in spite of urban legends about how microwaves will explode your pets and lower sperm counts.
    Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Unlike Disneyland or Disney World, there is no theme park, but the resort boasts a mini water park with slides and a lazy river for all ages to enjoy.
    Essence, Essence, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • He was reportedly known to law enforcement to wear a shoulder holster on the left side of his body.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 7 Sep. 2025
  • In late March, a 3-year-old Leavenworth boy known as EJ fell asleep for the night on a neighbor’s couch after eating grapes.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Stars not just in front of, but within the dusty nebula, poke through all but the densest gas.
    Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 8 Sep. 2025
  • In July 2024, Thompson's daughter Gaia shared a cheeky post on her Instagram Stories poking fun at 2023's Barbie movie's tagline — and Thompson's ex, Kenneth Branagh.
    Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • DeSantis has also taken frequent jabs at Perez, whose chamber has probed state spending under the governor’s leadership and investigated a charity spearheaded by his wife.
    Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Cam’ron is just as vocal and willing to throw jabs as Dame Dash.
    Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Young Thug wasn’t the only target, however, as his girlfriend, Mariah The Scientist, also caught a few shots for entertaining Thugger’s insults over the phone.
    Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Bluesky, part of the decentralized internet, is slower paced and caters to niche interests, rewarding internecine fights over minutiae, whereas X is deliberately chaotic, encouraging the gathering of follower-armies and ideological insult-comedy for an audience that may be largely made up of bots.
    Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Elsewhere in the apartment, a small Hermès mosaic wallpaper echoes the city’s gridlines, creating a visual bridge between interior and exterior.
    Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2025
  • In a previous interview with The Star, EJ’s mother, Briana Davis, spoke about how prevalent drugs are in the Leavenworth community and at her apartment complex, Woodland Village Apartments.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Outside one house on Tuesday evening, seven people quickly moved large tree branches away from the structure and shoveled sand onto the fire in a desperate attempt to keep the blaze from spreading from the house next door, according to the AP.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Hayes is now a long ways away from his teenage years shoveling driveways, and his early career as a postal-service worker.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dig.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dig. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dig

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!