as in to search
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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Recent Examples of dredge
To keep the body of water a lake and an effective flood-control tool, Great Parks periodically dredges to remove excess sediment at the bottom of the lake.
—
Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Mar. 2026
Pound the chicken cutlets lightly to an even thickness before dredging to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry edges.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026
One of the reasons cited is the need for dredging the marina entrance to Lake Michigan.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
The fish can be prepared several ways, but the overwhelming favorite method is to dredge chunks of snook in bread crumbs and fry them.
—Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dredge
Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Mar. 2026
Pound the chicken cutlets lightly to an even thickness before dredging to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry edges.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026
One of the reasons cited is the need for dredging the marina entrance to Lake Michigan.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
The fish can be prepared several ways, but the overwhelming favorite method is to dredge chunks of snook in bread crumbs and fry them.
—Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dredge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dredge
Verb
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Meanwhile, the elderly on the island are forced to beg or search for food among the mountains of trash that block the streets.—
Sarah Moreno
Updated April 29,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
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The volunteer dive team spent three years searching for the wreckage, eventually confirming its identity with the help of the Coast Guard Historians Office, which provided historical records, technical data and archival images of the ship's wheel, bell, deck fittings and weaponry.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Domínguez, meanwhile, has been raking at Triple-A since missing the cut for the Yankees’ Opening Day roster.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
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Pau Torres’s raking pass intended for Leon Bailey fell short.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The day after a man opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, authorities are combing through a message sent by the shooting suspect, seeking to understand what allegedly led him from his life as a respected California teacher to a would-be assassin.—
Alayna Treene,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
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Investigators are now combing through a hotel room at the Washington Hilton.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Arttu Hyry has been terrific since entering the lineup for Game 2, but his third line hasn’t found the back of the net.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Ease off the accelerator - Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Miami Museum of Contemporary Art of the African Diaspora curated the mobile interactive mural exhibit, which evolved from the existing murals seen in Overtown that highlight the neighborhood’s history, and include a QR code for visitors to scan and learn about the stories behind them.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
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Another scans the competitive landscape every few hours.—
Mukund Jha,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dredge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dredge. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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