gauge 1 of 2

variants also gage
Definition of gaugenext

gauge

2 of 2

noun

variants also gage

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun gauge contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gauge are criterion, standard, touchstone, and yardstick. While all these words mean "a means of determining what a thing should be," gauge applies to a means of testing a particular dimension (such as thickness, depth, diameter) or figuratively a particular quality or aspect.

polls as a gauge of voter dissatisfaction

When is criterion a more appropriate choice than gauge?

While the synonyms criterion and gauge are close in meaning, criterion may apply to anything used as a test of quality whether formulated as a rule or principle or not.

questioned the critic's criteria for excellence

When could standard be used to replace gauge?

While in some cases nearly identical to gauge, standard applies to any definite rule, principle, or measure established by authority.

standards of behavior

Where would touchstone be a reasonable alternative to gauge?

The synonyms touchstone and gauge are sometimes interchangeable, but touchstone suggests a simple test of the authenticity or value of something intangible.

fine service is one touchstone of a first-class restaurant

How are the words yardstick and criterion related as synonyms of gauge?

Yardstick is an informal substitute for criterion that suggests quantity more often than quality.

housing construction as a yardstick of economic growth

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 gauge
Verb
This gives astronomers a way to gauge a galaxy’s distance using what’s called the dropout technique. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 19 June 2026 Named the SpiderCam, the prototype from Northwestern University replicates the manner in which the spiders' eyes allow the creatures to gauge distances before making a surprise sideways jump at some unsuspecting victim minding its own business. Shirl Leigh june 19, New Atlas, 19 June 2026
Noun
In April, the Fed’s preferred gauge of inflation rose to its highest level since 2023. John Towfighi, CNN Money, 18 June 2026 Among the index’s components, a gauge of present sales fell 2 points to 38, while measures of future sales and prospective buyer traffic were unchanged, NAHB’s data show. Bloomberg, Oc Register, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gauge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gauge
Verb
  • It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2026
  • People magazine at the time estimated the wedding cost $1 million and noted the event included four bands and a fireworks show.
    Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • What the testing program will measure According to American Fusion, the testing campaign will evaluate several key parameters that determine whether a fusion device is operating as intended.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 June 2026
  • Biofeedback therapy uses sensors to measure muscle activity while providing auditory or visual feedback.
    Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 28 June 2026
Noun
  • Also, an indicator of sorts for where their flirtationship is headed.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 30 June 2026
  • Another great indicator of a ripe melon is a golden color.
    Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • We’ve been honored to be a part of family celebrations and memorial services because our little store is a touchstone in a way that other places can’t touch.
    Gregg Olsen, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
  • If Star Wars became the pop cultural touchstone for Generation X, the Minions have arguably become a comparable fixture for Gen Alpha.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • The constellation would also brighten the night sky by up to 300 percent, Hanuit calculated.
    Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 1 July 2026
  • The parents allege that UC Davis included what was meant only to be an expense offset for the in-kind donations of horses in calculating the total cost of the equestrian program.
    Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • However, older and budget fridges may use a dial with numbers such as 1 to 5 for turning the temperature up and down.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 29 June 2026
  • In case of an emergency, dial 911.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2026
Noun
  • Trump sought to limit the long-standing constitutional principle – enshrined in the 14th Amendment in 1868 and upheld by the Supreme Court in 1898 – that those born in the United States are citizens.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • None of these principles require expensive infrastructure additions.
    Lev Yatsemyrskyi, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • There was success, attention, expectation - and underneath it, a girl still figuring herself out.
    Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026
  • Going back to the books, the cocoon periods after each tragedy were periods of vulnerability, figuring things out and trying to survive, and that’s incredibly satisfying to play.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gauge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gauge. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

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