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
Example 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
Rachel Ringler, Sun Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2025
In 2020, Attorney General Letitia James of New York accused Hillandale Farms of gouging customers with high prices during the early months of the coronavirus pandemic.
—Danielle Kaye, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2025
The villa was used for both housing and agriculture, and items like axes, gouges, hipposandal to protect horse hooves, coins and slag were found throughout the property, according to the release.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gouge
Verb
President Donald Trump campaigned on a vow to reduce egg prices, blaming their rise on his predecessor, but with avian flu continuing to spread — and some producers accused of taking advantage of the crisis to gouge customers — the USDA predicts that prices will rise at least another 20% this year.
—Rachel Ringler, Sun Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2025
In 2020, Attorney General Letitia James of New York accused Hillandale Farms of gouging customers with high prices during the early months of the coronavirus pandemic.
—Danielle Kaye, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
Noun
Large dents and gouges can also be difficult to repair.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2025
The villa was used for both housing and agriculture, and items like axes, gouges, hipposandal to protect horse hooves, coins and slag were found throughout the property, according to the release.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gouge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gouge
Verb
-
Now Warning To All iPhone Users Google Pixel’s Unbeatable Upgrade—Bad News For Samsung Being stuck at No. 2 behind Lamar likely stings just a little more than usual for Drake.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
-
But China is also seeking to build tighter relationships in Asia with nations stung by Trump’s tariffs.—
Josh Boak,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Or maybe circumstances conspire to force Lizzie to send her own little John Dutton back, to be raised by Uncle Spencer and fall in love with the same forsaken hollow that stole her only love.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Think about contour sticks as painting on shadows, where the natural hollows of your face would be the canvas, and your contour stick the paintbrush.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
31 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Red Robin fans jumped at the opportunity to buy a pass granting them bottomless burgers all May, but the promotion encountered some hiccups, including the burger chain's website crashing and some customers being overcharged at checkout.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Michael Barker, 47, admitted to working with a business owner starting in November 2019 to overcharge the school district for custodial supplies and split the excess funds, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia said in an April 7 news release.—
Natalie Demaree,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
As Formula 1 energy surges through the city, Summit brings his signature blend of infectious house beats and deep grooves to one of Miami's most iconic venues for a night of unrelenting rhythm and dancefloor magic.—
Erica Wertheim Zohar,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
-
The plastic handle includes ribbings and grooves to allow for a more comfortable positioning of the hand.—
Renee Freemon Mulvihill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Neither team cheats for offense, every inch of ice is hard-earned.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Niemann, a grandmaster, beat Carlsen in an upset in a 2022 match, leading Carlsen to withdraw from the tournament and setting off wild speculation about whether Niemann could have cheated, though no such allegations were ever proven.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In the Balsall Heath neighborhood, wind whistles through the puncture marks in one rotting heap where the rats and mice have burrowed in.—
Anna Cooban,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2025
-
The girl suffered puncture wounds and scratches, but didn’t receive any stitches.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
People.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
One of our key initiatives was partnering with banks to make our network accessible to their cardholders, surcharge free.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
-
But those insurers are allowed to surcharge their own policyholders to recoup those payments, meaning those with insurance coverage across the state could see their rates increase.—
Ryan Fonseca,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
After another short-handed rush led by Eichel on the Wild’s second stab at a five-forward look, the coaches swapped Spurgeon for Hartman on the top unit for good.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
-
While speculation about a potential Desperate Housewives follow-up — revival, reboot, sequel, spinoff or other offshoot — has been rampant for more than a decade, this marks the first real stab at expanding the franchise.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gouge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gouge. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share