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
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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
Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2025
De la Torre listened, tracking as the pygmy marmosets made their way from their sleeping tree toward the amber trunk, which was pocked with their gouges and oozing clear resin.
—Jessica Camille Aguirre, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 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
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
De la Torre listened, tracking as the pygmy marmosets made their way from their sleeping tree toward the amber trunk, which was pocked with their gouges and oozing clear resin.
—Jessica Camille Aguirre, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gouge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gouge
Verb
-
Hit the ball too far up the handle, or off the end of the head, and the bat will flex and vibrate, transferring less energy to the ball and stinging the batter’s hands.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Pets who have an encounter with stinging caterpillars will need a vet visit ASAP.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
This was Brontë country—a landscape of bleak moors, steep valleys, and small towns nestled in the hollows.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Previously, geophysicists had argued that these transitions represent the difference between volcanic materials above and ejecta from impacts buried below, and a change from porous rock (i.e. filled with cracks and hollows) to solid rock at 12 miles (20 kilometers) deep.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Critics of the program, which essentially privatizes Medicare, point to insurance companies cherry-picking enrollees who are younger and healthier and overcharging the program for treatment.—
Selena Simmons-Duffin,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2025
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Deitrich, who’s gotten involved with Power to the Patients, said she was overcharged by her provider by more than a thousand dollars for a routine checkup and now drives more than two hours to the closest clinic that lists their prices upfront.—
Marquise Francis,
NBC News,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
But the upscale East Sacramento concept finds its groove in somewhat unexpected places and is eager for new customers.—
Benjy Egel,
Sacbee.com,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Both the top and the bottom are textured with two lengthwise grooves that make the P21 easy to grip, and the two long sides are gently curved.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
There's a problem these players aren't punished enough for cheating.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
-
And right when they're embroiled in the ensuing messy separation, new DNA evidence surfaces in Adam's case, the woman Bob cheated with turns up missing, and just like that, Sarah's back in the spotlight.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Shiffrin won her record-breaking 100th World Cup skiing event earlier this year after making a miraculous return to skiing less than three months after sustaining a puncture to her abdomen during a crash at a competition in Vermont last November.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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There were some deep puncture wounds that healed by themselves.—
Jim Zumbo,
Outdoor Life,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Some restaurants also started slapping an egg surcharge onto their menu items.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
12 Apr. 2025
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Insurers also can surcharge policyholders for 100% of assessments in excess of those amounts.—
Laurence Darmiento,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The most serious stab wounds, authorities said, were in the woman’s right armpit and near her neck and shoulder.—
Kate Linderman,
Kansas City Star,
18 Apr. 2025
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Citing a police affidavit, local KFOX 14 also reported that Victor Sr. was found with a slit throat, severe head injuries and several stab wounds in addition to being disemboweled.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gouge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gouge. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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