as in digging
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 excavating
Investigators later conducted a second search warrant operation on June 23 that included excavating portions of the property for evidence of dogs buried in mass graves.
—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
30 June 2026
Systematic study did not come until the 1930s, when 16-year-old John Goggin began formally surveying and excavating sites from Snapper Creek to Surfside, in the Keys and the Glades as part of a program at Yale.
—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
In addition to excavating the property, investigators have seized financial records, adoption records and business records.
—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
The search began Monday, and involves investigators from the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, the FBI and the State Attorney's Office, who are excavating an area at Dry Creek Ranch after cadaver dogs alerted them during a recent search.
—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
24 June 2026
The project plans to produce yellowcake using in-situ recovery technology, which circulates an oxygen- and water-based solution through underground ore bodies instead of excavating large open pits.
—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 June 2026
Northwestern plans to start excavating the site later this year but still needs several state and city approvals before launching construction, most likely in 2027.
—
Brian J. Rogal,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
Archaeologists excavating an ancient cemetery in Cairo have found a cache of burial objects that could shed new light on funeral practices in one of Egypt‘s most important religious centers.
—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
1 June 2026
The one who is excavating the stories that their colleagues, clients, and team members need to share but don’t yet know how to.
—
Esther K. Choy,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
30 June 2026
Systematic study did not come until the 1930s, when 16-year-old John Goggin began formally surveying and excavating sites from Snapper Creek to Surfside, in the Keys and the Glades as part of a program at Yale.
—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
In addition to excavating the property, investigators have seized financial records, adoption records and business records.
—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
The search began Monday, and involves investigators from the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, the FBI and the State Attorney's Office, who are excavating an area at Dry Creek Ranch after cadaver dogs alerted them during a recent search.
—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
24 June 2026
The project plans to produce yellowcake using in-situ recovery technology, which circulates an oxygen- and water-based solution through underground ore bodies instead of excavating large open pits.
—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 June 2026
Northwestern plans to start excavating the site later this year but still needs several state and city approvals before launching construction, most likely in 2027.
—
Brian J. Rogal,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
Archaeologists excavating an ancient cemetery in Cairo have found a cache of burial objects that could shed new light on funeral practices in one of Egypt‘s most important religious centers.
—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
1 June 2026
The one who is excavating the stories that their colleagues, clients, and team members need to share but don’t yet know how to.
—
Esther K. Choy,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excavating
digging
Verb
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Messi was trying to get a ball away from an Algerian player when he was seen digging his cleat into the back of the player’s calf.
-
Masks are still prohibited during firefighters’ most grueling tasks — digging lines to stop fires and directly attacking flames.
Cite this Entry
“Excavating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excavating. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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