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
-
And Jaden McDaniels was right, which stings even more.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
-
Nothing stings more than seeing a shipping fee tacked on top of an order that was already a splurge.—
Hannah Chubb,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After months of toiling over the build, the supplier facility produced a version of the product, but on the back of the display, 35 grooves were installed instead of 25.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Dry the tracks thoroughly afterward to prevent grime from caking into the grooves.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 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
-
Rotund ewes are sometimes prone to getting pinned upside down in hollows by their own weight.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Apr. 2026
-
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
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
-
The challenger became more aggressive after the sixth round, moving forward to try to land punches.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
-
No punches, but the two tangled, spilling toward the sideline as Okongwu tried to separate them.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gouges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gouges. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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