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
According to multiple reports, teams across the NBA have already started checking in with Milwaukee — quietly gauging whether the door might crack open for a blockbuster deal. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 10 June 2025 By parsing the analysis step by step, reproducibility allows a critical reader to gauge the strength of any kind of argument. Richard Ball, The Conversation, 5 June 2025
Noun
Run limited drops to gauge demand, refine offerings and create buzz before scaling to retail. Ian Shepherd, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025 Yet the Fed's preferred gauge of inflation remains above its 2% target and, its policymakers say, risks moving higher because of Trump's tariffs. Rob Wile, NBC news, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for gauge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gauge
Verb
  • Using statistical methods, the researchers calculated 6,029 excess deaths in the most permissive states between 2011 and 2023, compared with the number of deaths that would have been expected under the states’ pre-McDonald rules.
    Tribune News Service, Twin Cities, 21 June 2025
  • To Lawson-Remer, the scenario underscores the need to bring in more revenue and change how the county calculates its reserves, freeing up existing cash.
    Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • To begin with, the atoms being used for error correction have to be moved to a location—the measurement zone—where they can be measured without disturbing anything else.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 20 June 2025
  • Tools And Frameworks Help Spot Potential Accurately Unlike performance, which is usually measured with data, potential can feel subjective.
    Melanie Hughes, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Determine Why Volunteers Disengage Looking at the volunteer retention rate is a great indicator of engagement.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • His turnover rate is sky high, which tends to be a bad indicator.
    Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • For those who know, Randall is the Leica—or Rolex—of handmade knives, as much touchstone as tool within the culture.
    Erik German, Fortune, 17 June 2025
  • Is there a writer who’s an essential touchstone for you, like Hemingway was for Elmore Leonard?
    Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • Thomas is a restricted free agent, but that distinction borders on irrelevant in a market where nobody else has cap space, and Thomas figures to make more than the nontaxpayer MLE. 3.
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 18 June 2025
  • The infield figures to get complicated as well when Alex Bregman returns.
    Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • The Automatique entered the stage in September last year, including two Atelier stone dial versions.
    Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 13 June 2025
  • In the control panel, choose your language and the country | Region twist the dial.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • The conservative Supreme Court on Friday delayed ruling on President Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship, the bedrock principle that anyone born in the U.S. is automatically a citizen.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 27 June 2025
  • At a time when establishing clarity of first principles has never been more urgent, UF’s law school practically dared anyone to criticize the award for whitewashing the Constitution.
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Forbes estimates Leener’s sponsorships for F1 have brought in at least $40 million, covering a significant part of a production budget that may be as high as $300 million.
    Matt Craig, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Astronomers estimate that an asteroid this large comes this close to Earth only about once every 7,500 years.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gauge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gauge. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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