as in to sting
to charge (someone) too much for goods or services
since I had forgotten the sunscreen, I was forced to buy it from the concession stand at the beach—where they gouged me for it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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 gouge
Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024
But while corporations are gouging families, Trump is focused on giving them tax cuts.
—Mabinty Quarshie, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 Sep. 2024
Kenzi Wilbur, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2024
It's got great scalloped-out gouges dug into the wood between massive jumbo frets, so your fingers simply never touch the board, and the strings rub against nothing but metal.
—New Atlas, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for gouge 
Verb
Since then the governor has repeatedly accused the industry of intentionally gouging consumers.
—Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024
But while corporations are gouging families, Trump is focused on giving them tax cuts.
—Mabinty Quarshie, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 Sep. 2024
Noun
Inside the Actor’s Real Estate Portfolio By Michelle Duncan
Look for any imperfections in the wood, like deep scuffs, nicks, holes, gouges, or scratches.
—Kenzi Wilbur, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2024
It's got great scalloped-out gouges dug into the wood between massive jumbo frets, so your fingers simply never touch the board, and the strings rub against nothing but metal.
—New Atlas, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for gouge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gouge
Verb
-
One day later Miami would kick off its plans for 2025 right by landing former Georgia starting quarterback Carson Beck in the transfer portal (more on that in a bit), but, still, this Orange Bowl had to sting Cristobal over all that might have been.Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2025
-
That loss hurt, of course, and losing the Super Bowl this time around would sting, too.Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
More than 24 hours of labor — augmented with Pitocin, to make contractions stronger — had left a deep hollow above his forehead.Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 29 Dec. 2024
-
Morton, Illinois, a sleepy hollow outside Peoria calls itself the ‘Pumpkin Capital of the World’ and has the patches to prove it.Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 23 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
Advertisers have accused the parent company of Facebook and Instagram of overcharging by inflating the audience numbers their ads could reach.Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
-
Over a dozen stores across North Carolina were caught overcharging customers, including some Target, Family Dollar and Dollar General locations.Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
While that presented a challenge at first, Oliver eventually found a groove.Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2025
-
This track is dedicated to the beloved Brazilian singer Milton Nascimento and offers a delightful take on a groove Nascimento has used himself.Giovanni Russonello, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Caregivers may be tempted to let kids win or even cheat to avoid meltdowns and tantrums.Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 8 Jan. 2025
-
Most significantly, with three other dangerous Bears weapons spread to the right, safety Xavier Woods began cheating in that direction before the play began.Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Later, a wing mirror was shown flying off Alex Albon’s Williams car, with the subsequent debris causing punctures for Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Russell’s teammate, Lewis Hamilton, and the Safety Car was brought out again.Sam Joseph, CNN, 2 Dec. 2024
-
Professional skier Mikaela Shiffrin has suffered an abdominal puncture wound after crashing into a fence during a skiing event in Vermont.Toria Sheffield, People.com, 1 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
On Disney, room service is mostly free all day and night, while on Royal Caribbean, only continental breakfast is included in the fare (hot breakfasts and other meal periods are surcharged), for example.Scott Laird, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Dec. 2024
-
Robins said the company considered multiple different options before settling on the winnings surcharge.Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 2 Aug. 2024
Noun
-
Ken Wright, Wright said the victim sustained a stab wound and was later pronounced dead.Staff report, Hartford Courant, 12 Jan. 2025
-
Police found Hodge with multiple stab wounds to his torso, neck and arms, and he was rushed to Harlem Hospital where he was pronounced dead.Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 8 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near gouge
Cite this Entry
“Gouge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gouge. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share