as in stings
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 gouges
John Seiler, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
In 2017, he was recalled after backing the $5 billion yearly gas tax that still gouges at the pump.
—John Seiler, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gouges
Verb
-
That’s the part that stings the most.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The team had the best record in the major leagues as recently as June 13 of last season before collapsing and missing the postseason — a collapse that still stings for fans.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Other signs include bubbles under paint or wallpaper, tight doors or windows and grooves or maze-like lines in wood.—
Ana Durrani,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The pieces had been in that container a long, long time, based on grooves in their surface thought to have been caused by burrowing worms.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
An electronic safety system monitors each cell during operations, avoiding both under- and overcharges.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
22 Aug. 2017
Noun
-
Maron explained that storms can dislodge baby birds from their nests, sweep young animals out of tree hollows and even flood ground nests used by cottontails and skunks.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Maron explained that storms can dislodge baby birds from nests, sweep young animals out of tree hollows and flood ground nests used by cottontails and skunks.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The pay reality punctures that myth entirely.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Quality stability balls use thick, durable materials that are less likely to sustain damage from tears or punctures.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Inspired by real stories, Eva Marcille portrays a wife who miraculously cheats death after her husband’s (Tyler Lepley) betrayal in Pushed Off a Plane and Survived airing on February 28.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Blashill wants the Blackhawks to be a fast-pressure team at both ends of the rink, one that attacks vertically but never cheats for offense.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Then Freeman woke up Friday morning to the news that was delivering gut punches throughout the baseball world, that Anderson had passed away Thursday at 53.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Benches cleared, and cooler heads did not prevail, though no punches were thrown.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gouges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gouges. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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