DREDGING Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

dredging

verb

present participle of dredge

as in searching

to look through (as a place) carefully or thoroughly in an effort to find or discover something I've been dredging my memory bank, and I simply can't remember her name

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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 dredging While retracing his route, revisiting photos, and dredging her memories for clues to his distress, Lotte encounters dangers and pushes her limits. — Monitor Reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Aug. 2026 Most of the gold bullion aboard the Fort Stikine was lost, but dredging operations in the harbor have continued to unearth some of these bricks, including as recently as 2011. — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Aug. 2026 The Trust says the project would involve dredging around 643,000 cubic meters of sediment from the Fal Estuary, with potential risks to seagrass, kelp, maerl beds and the area’s native oyster fishery. — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026 For the best results, make sure to pat the meat completely dry before dredging so the coating will stick. — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 9 July 2026 The agency is now encouraging ports to pay for the initial step in a process that includes studying, obtaining permits and dredging trade waterways. — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 19 May 2026 One of the reasons cited is the need for dredging the marina entrance to Lake Michigan. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026 In the legend, Yu, a heroic figure, saved Chinese civilization from decades of devastating floods by dredging rivers and waterways. — Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025 Pickleball courts, golf course to remain open Plans for the project include dredging the lake, repairing the concrete and foundation at the dam, and replacing a culvert near Flatwoods Road Cove with a bridge. — Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dredging

Verb

Police are searching for a man in connection with the shooting.

— Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026
The Coast Guard and Navy are searching the waters using multiple aircraft and boats, along with assistance from the Mexican navy.

— Mikella Schuettler, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of searching

Verb

Aiming to protect what’s left of its buildings and monuments is a converted Volkswagen Crafter—the ARK III, a mobile 3D-scanning lab that creates digital twins of sacred and historical structures for future restoration.

— Chris Stokel-Walker, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
The sonar pinged about once a second, scanning the water 500 feet in every direction for signs of life, while another machine scanned the water immediately below the boat.

— Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of scanning

Verb

Emergency crews in Florida and Alabama are surveying damage wrought by Hurricane Isaias, after the storm bashed into the Gulf Coast as a Category 2 storm Friday night.

— Bill Chappell, NPR, 10 Oct. 2026
The three-time NBA MVP stood behind a gaggle of teammates squished up against the CU bench, quietly surveying the madness from the 15-yard line while twisting the cap of his bottled water.

— Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of surveying

Verb

Given the prime location, everything is at your disposal from combing history tomes at Yountville Library to ticking off as many wine tastings as possible in one day.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
Investigators have been combing through surveillance video that captured part of the shooting, according to the court records.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of combing

Verb

There was very little original local production, and people were finding their favourite TV shows through obscure corners of the web.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
This pliability has made the app particularly popular for casual, real-time occasions—such as finding the ideal hostess gift for a weekend visit or selecting a thoughtful token for a friend—without resorting to generic fallback options.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of finding

Verb

Hartford has a leaf disposal system that includes raking to the curb and brown bag pick ups, as well as leaf bag drop off with a city permit.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
Make the most of fallen leaves Few tasks define fall more than raking leaves.

— Pam Rosendal, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2026