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
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Recent Examples of excavate
Pompeii superintendent Medeo Maiuri excavated the victims in 1961, originally found in three smaller groups, although today the plaster casts are displayed in a line.
—
ArsTechnica, 18 May 2026
The Suez Canal, however, is an artificial waterway excavated through Egyptian territory, while the Strait of Hormuz is a naturally occurring strait governed by a different legal framework, according to an international law expert.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
The burial was excavated by Colchester Archaeological Trust during archaeological work at the former Essex County Hospital site.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 17 May 2026
University of Central Florida students and faculty are currently excavating the DeSoto site at Cape Canaveral, along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for excavate
ArsTechnica, 18 May 2026
The Suez Canal, however, is an artificial waterway excavated through Egyptian territory, while the Strait of Hormuz is a naturally occurring strait governed by a different legal framework, according to an international law expert.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 17 May 2026
The burial was excavated by Colchester Archaeological Trust during archaeological work at the former Essex County Hospital site.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 17 May 2026
University of Central Florida students and faculty are currently excavating the DeSoto site at Cape Canaveral, along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for excavate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excavate
Verb
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Using an excavator, Artur dug Nate’s coffin up.—
Sabrina Reed,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
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While Marshals has leaned into a procedural format, later episodes began digging deeper into Kayce’s trauma and relationships.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
25 May 2026
Verb
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All that was left of the snow was shoveled into melting mounds at the edges of intersections and crosswalks.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
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Tyler and Cora steady a western redbud sapling as Atticus holds up a bag of soil and Eliza shovels out the fragrant earth.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Excavate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excavate. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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