EXCAVATE Synonyms: 14 Similar and Opposite Words

excavate

verb

ˈek-skə-ˌvāt

Definition of excavate

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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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 excavate Accomplished poet and nonfiction writer Brandon Shimoda brings his love of lyricism to this memoir, a portrait of his grandfather that excavates a century of xenophobia and silence in America. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026 Energy companies might save substantial capital by tapping naturally occurring subterranean structures rather than excavating artificial caverns or modifying depleted reservoirs. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026 The last set of stairs, which lead to the basement that the couple excavated, is contemporary. — Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 29 Sep. 2026 Chemicals were removed from the home, as well as a segment of underground pipe was excavated. — ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for excavate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for excavate

Verb

Use a long, slender trowel to dig a single-occupancy hole, or dig a wide hole to plant a group of bulbs.

— Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 4 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

Definition of dig

Verb

But earlier this year, the Navy reservist and his friend shoveled a six-carat diamond from a field in Arkansas where he's found over 300 gems so far.

— LAURA TURBAY, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Kenya’s President William Ruto and his counterparts from Uganda, Ethiopia, Togo, Benin and Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo led a ground breaking ceremony at the site, shoveling soil to show that work on the refinery has started.

— Evelyne Musambi, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of shovel

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exasperations

excavate

excavated

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“Excavate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excavate. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of excavate

verb

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