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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gouge
Jessica Camille Aguirre, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025
All these gems are embedded in a wooden shell made of oak, sculpted with a gouge, just like the artisans who craft the cognac barrels.
—Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Noël Fletcher, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Insider tip: the Lake View rooms in the west wing—specifically floors three through five—deliver a prime panorama without gouging your wallet.
—Paul Jebara, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gouge
Verb
Pygmy marmosets use their teeth to gouge holes in trees that secrete gum, or resin—not to be confused with sap, which runs through a tree’s vascular system.
—Jessica Camille Aguirre, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025
All these gems are embedded in a wooden shell made of oak, sculpted with a gouge, just like the artisans who craft the cognac barrels.
—Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
Strike the nose of the alligator hard and often, and try to gouge the eyes.
—Noël Fletcher, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Insider tip: the Lake View rooms in the west wing—specifically floors three through five—deliver a prime panorama without gouging your wallet.
—Paul Jebara, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gouge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gouge
Verb
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Late on, Eze’s strike stung Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s hands before he was substituted.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
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Senior running back/receiver/linebacker Luke Tingley said that one still stings.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Flowers brighter than the rose bloomed in the blackest of the heath for her; out of a sullen hollow in a livid hillside her mind could make an Eden.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
6 June 2025
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Habitat degradation caused by feral sheep also likely played a role in its decline, reducing the availability of nesting sites in tree hollows and shrubland.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
Verb
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This occurs when a battery is damaged, overheated, exposed to water, overcharged or improperly packed.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
11 Aug. 2025
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Some residents and candidates have complained that Area Towing often overcharged customers, unaware of the costs when getting their vehicles towed.—
Niraj Warikoo,
Freep.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Jack tried his hand at feeding a baby cow in another shot before finding a groove while welding.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
18 Aug. 2025
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Styled by Law Roach, the tight end got in the modeling groove on the set of his Florida Everglades cover shoot, which featured, more often than not, a shirtless Kelce revealing his chest hair.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This year has already seen examples of AI systems willing to deceive, cheat and steal to achieve their goals.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
13 Aug. 2025
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And rebuilding trust – as anyone knows who has lied or cheated – is far harder than protecting it.—
Teresa Ghilarducci,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The bite left behind small puncture wounds and bruising on Corale’s leg.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
6 Aug. 2025
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Castro-Cruz was found in the basement stairwell with a puncture wound to the chest, police sources said.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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But last month, SpaceX raised the demand surcharge to $500, then $750 before finally escalating it to an eye-popping $1,000.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
21 July 2025
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That surcharge alone erodes a meaningful slice of Qatar’s margin advantage over Henry-Hub-linked U.S. cargoes and is already pencilled into 2026 LNG tender models.—
Güney Yıldız,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Noun
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Cops responding to a 911 call around 4 p.m. found the victim with single stab wound to his chest outside a home on 119th Ave. near Sutphin Blvd.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
16 Aug. 2025
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Based on statements from the couple, the boyfriend was attacked with a knife, causing a stab wound to the head.—
Gillian Stawiszynski,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gouge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gouge. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.
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