gauge 1 of 2

variants also gage

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
The dashboard and steering wheel are trimmed in wood, complemented by a bank of toggle switches and a simple three-gauge instrument cluster. New Atlas, 19 Sep. 2025 Many of us here, this writer included, opt for garments in a light, fine-gauge wool. Nick Hendry, Robb Report, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
Besides gauging their health and well-being, these volunteers offer information such as advice on how to stay cool – part of a wider awareness campaign that includes distributing pamphlets in public spaces and holding free talks on the topic. Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025 Flip invented the Wheezer Scale for gauging the difficulty of hiking up hills. Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gauge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gauge
Verb
  • New-home sales are seen as a more timely measurement than purchases of existing homes, which are calculated when contracts close.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Auditors also faulted the district for failing to ensure that the revenue-sharing arrangement with BusPatrol was being properly calculated.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Further, no data will be collected to measure or track academic achievement for participating students either.
    Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Sep. 2025
  • The scientists measured body weight, fat mass, energy expenditure, food intake, blood sugar and insulin responses, as well as fat and liver tissue (via microscopy), gene expression (via RNA sequencing), and macrophage metabolism.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Some waffle irons will indicate when the waffle is ready, but if your waffle iron doesn’t have an indicator, check for doneness when the steam subsides.
    Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Emptying the dust cup was simple thanks to clear arrow indicators, although detaching it from the wand first added a small inconvenience.
    Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The project’s narrative touchstone, however, is Ye’s commitment to living without medication for the bipolar disorder he’s previously disclosed.
    Matt Donnelly, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Brauchler notes that Columbine remains a dark touchstone for copycats.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In the end, no matter who tries to establish the terms of engagement, this Ryder Cup figures to be the biggest, loudest, most tumultuous golf tournament ever played.
    Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Investigating clues and figuring it out like a kind of whodunnit was completely the wrong path.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • To reach the suicide and crisis hotline, dial 988.
    Paul Liberatore, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Don't adjust your dial—those are indeed potato chips the cookies!
    Josh Miller, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But our design principle has always been trying to avoid accidents as much as possible.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Sep. 2025
  • In the lawsuit, lawyers for the state and the city said the move breached the principles of the US Constitution and risked stoking new unrest.
    Andy Rose, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The recent budget reconciliation bill—with significant changes to Medicaid and Affordable Care Act insurance coverage—is estimated to result in 16 million more uninsured people within 10 years, including many of reproductive age.
    Mimi Zieman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
  • The nonprofit is counting on government support through Medi-Cal to cover the detox program’s estimated $2 million annual operating cost.
    Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gauge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gauge. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

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