DUG Synonyms: 133 Similar and Opposite Words

dug

verb

Definition of dug

past tense of dig

as in excavated

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

as in enjoyed

to take pleasure in I really dig bluegrass music

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in knew

to have a clear idea of can you dig what I'm saying?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in poked

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

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 dug With his curiosity piqued, Rabtsevich dug through the TESS archives for more data on the same star and found an additional 22 instances of dimming. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026 But Smith also failed to respect how dangerous and dug-in the Brewers are. — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 Her mother dug her out from under debris and Sasha remained in a coma for 15 days. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026 Fifteen yards into his route, James dug inside, turned to catch the pass from Zabransky, and took a little jab step upfield as four Oklahoma defenders closed in. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 3 Oct. 2026 The Nepal National Mountain Guide Association, which is leading the search, said rescuers dug through snow on Mount Himlung to find eight bodies in tents at the base camp, where one person remains missing. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 Hundreds of British troops crisscrossed fields with thousands of metres of razor wire and dug a long ditch that was later partially filled with water to act as a moat to keep the Protestant marchers away from the Catholic enclave. — Amanda Ferguson Reuters, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026 But the Rebels dug deep again, and came away with the emotional victory. — Patricia Babcock McGraw Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026 Field dug plants usually do fine with two irrigations per week through the warmer months. — Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dug

Verb

The 50-ton boulder was found about 30 feet below the surface of the airfield while crews excavated the South Detention Basin, a stormwater management facility, as part of the ORDNext terminal expansion project.

— Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
But the archaeologists who excavated the new skeletal fragments from Shanidar Cave in the Kurdistan region of Iraq say the fossils weave a complex tale of Neanderthal life and death, beyond what appeared to be deliberate violence.

— Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of excavated

Verb

The luxury property is located along Mexico's Riviera Nayarit coast, where the women enjoyed beach outings and spa treatments.

— Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Her cart included a Wegmans strawberry shortcake that her family in New York enjoyed during the holidays.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of enjoyed

Verb

This would-be Colette, who knew her time and speaks to ours, was born Rosalyn Bronznick in 1926, and grew up in the Bronx.

— Leslie Camhi, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
Racing to give back With breast cancer affecting both her mother and aunt, Robinson knew the importance of regular screenings.

— Roni Robbins, AJC.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of knew

Verb

Terry Kay liked to tell the story of how he was coerced into writing his first novel by Pat Conroy, who told his literary agent Kay had written a brilliant manuscript.

— Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 18 Oct. 2026
And while the bye comes a bit earlier than many would’ve liked, the Dolphins are 0-5.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of liked

Verb

These exchanges were consequential, but they could still largely be understood as a series of bilateral transactions focused on Russia’s war.

— Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026
Market analysts and economists note the term premium is poorly understood and subject to interpretation.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of understood

Verb

After losing in 2024, McGinn has repeatedly raised concerns on the campaign trail about Bradley’s absence from a vote in the Senate on legislation named for the Ukrainian refugee fatally stabbed on Charlotte’s light rail.

— Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 16 Oct. 2026
As seen on a surveillance video, the man walked up to the victim, grabbed him, and stabbed him multiple times before fleeing from the scene.

— Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of stabbed

Browse Nearby Words

duffs

dug

dug (away)

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Style

“Dug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dug. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of dug

verb

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