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
As a wolf, Enid excavates Wednesday and then sprints off into the night.
—
Selome Hailu, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
Jingia dongxingensis was excavated from the Dongxing Formation and was named a new genus and species in 2024.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2025
Like every other year, remains have been excavated.
—Seema Jilani
august 29, Literary Hub, 29 Aug. 2025
Its two towers, or oasts, plus firepits and facade are made from Catawba stone excavated during the brewery’s build-out, while local black walnut wood forms the bar top and wall coverings.
—Kate Bernot, Outside, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for excavate
Selome Hailu, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
Jingia dongxingensis was excavated from the Dongxing Formation and was named a new genus and species in 2024.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2025
Like every other year, remains have been excavated.
—Seema Jilani
august 29, Literary Hub, 29 Aug. 2025
Its two towers, or oasts, plus firepits and facade are made from Catawba stone excavated during the brewery’s build-out, while local black walnut wood forms the bar top and wall coverings.
—Kate Bernot, Outside, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for excavate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excavate
Verb
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Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Sep. 2025
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The Jamaican’s better start again forced Lyles to dig deep to stay in the race.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Strong obliques stabilize your trunk during single-leg movements and help transfer force from your lower body to your upper body — essential in sports like tennis, baseball and golf, but just as important when raking leaves, shoveling snow or carrying groceries.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
17 Sep. 2025
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Soldiers have also been spotted in parks carrying out tasks typically assigned to gardeners and landscapers – shoveling mulch, blowing leaves and scooping up trash.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Excavate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excavate. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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