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
Throughout Wild West Village, Lola excavates how her unconventional upbringing — for better or worse — shaped her personality.
—
Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 28 Jan. 2025
Their recent work focused on surveying the site and excavating one structure.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025
Revisiting Human Remains at Pompeii Rewrites the Story of Mt. Vesuvius’ Victims
More to Discover
Archeologists have been excavating Pompeii since the 1700s and are discovering more and more each year.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 17 Jan. 2025
Archaeologists have been excavating the ancient city of Ephesus for more than a century.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for excavate 
Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 28 Jan. 2025
Their recent work focused on surveying the site and excavating one structure.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025
Revisiting Human Remains at Pompeii Rewrites the Story of Mt. Vesuvius’ Victims
More to Discover
Archeologists have been excavating Pompeii since the 1700s and are discovering more and more each year.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 17 Jan. 2025
Archaeologists have been excavating the ancient city of Ephesus for more than a century.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for excavate
Thesaurus Entries Near excavate
Cite this Entry
“Excavate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excavate. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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