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
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
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That play — not even a full turnover, mind you — is what stings a full year later.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
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Malone, who gets Mincemeat’s best song, still looks like a favorite in his category, and Mincemeat did get recognition for its score (written by three of its stars, members of the same comedy troupe), but the lack of enthusiasm elsewhere must sting.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
1 May 2025
Noun
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Place walnut meats or balls of cream cheese in the hollows of the pears.—
Anne Byrn,
Southern Living,
9 May 2025
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His cheeks have sunk into the hollows of his face, his ribs are protruding, and his scrawny limbs are little more than bone.—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
4 May 2025
Verb
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Stopping the big banks from overcharging businesses billions for debit card usage.—
Dick Durbin,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Apr. 2025
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Most people think that this is too much—that couples are overspending, that venders are overcharging, and that the wedding-industrial complex verges on unethical.—
Adam Iscoe,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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Disgruntled attendees, many of them authors, said they felt cheated by event organizers, who failed to deliver on most, if not all fronts.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
7 May 2025
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In their stories about others, 92% chronicled how misfortune befell cheating partners, indebted friends, bullies and lousy coworkers.—
Kameryn Griesser,
CNN Money,
1 May 2025
Noun
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The toddlers had suffered puncture wounds and lacerations to their arms and legs, while an 18-year-old woman also had a minor injury to her arm, the release stated.—
Latoya Gayle,
People.com,
2 May 2025
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An autopsy suggested Camarena's death was caused by a puncture through the skull and into the brain, likely from a steel rebar or tire iron.—
Cara Tabachnick,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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Police officers discovered the victim with multiple stab wounds to his torso just before 6 p.m. near East Fordham Rd. and Webster Ave.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
12 May 2025
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Court appearance Friday Related Articles The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office found Warren had a minimum of nine stab wounds to her head, neck and upper torso, according to Friday’s complaint filed in Dakota County District Court charging Filas with second-degree intentional murder.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
10 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gouge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gouge. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
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