tunnel

/ˈtʌnəl/
verb
  1. To dig or force a passage underground or through an obstacle.
    • The prisoners tunneled their way out of the jail.
    • Ants tunnel through the soil to build their colony.
    • Engineers plan to tunnel through the mountain for the new highway.
  2. To move or travel through a tunnel or narrow space.
    • The rescue team tunneled through the rubble to find survivors.
    • We tunneled through the snowdrift to reach the cabin.
    • The subway train tunneled beneath the city streets.
Synonyms
noun
  1. An underground passage, especially one built for roads, trains, or utilities.
    • The train emerged from the tunnel into bright sunlight.
    • Workers are digging a new tunnel under the river for cars.
    • The utility tunnel carries water pipes and electrical cables.
  2. A long, narrow passage or hole, such as one made by an animal.
    • Moles create a network of tunnels beneath the lawn.
    • The hikers crawled through a narrow tunnel in the cave.
    • The rabbit disappeared into its tunnel in the garden.
  3. A metaphorical passage or period of difficulty leading to a better situation.
    • He felt stuck in a dark tunnel of grief after the loss.
    • After months of hard work, she could finally see light at the end of the tunnel.
    • The company is in a financial tunnel but expects to recover soon.
Antonyms