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 role, and the vitriol from within the industry toward the movie (a flop turned cult favorite), still stings.—
Cat Woods,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The result stings, but the fightback should give them confidence to carry forward.—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Then use a microfiber cloth barely dampened with water to wipe the fixture clean, making sure to get into any grooves and crevices.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Dogs have no trouble grabbing and holding onto this ball due to the grooves.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Among the ridges and hollows, the rover found small mineral nodules — bumpy, pea-sized formations that are typically signs of ancient groundwater activity.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Rover drivers must guide it across ridge tops and then down into sandy hollows.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Stimulates skin renewal through tiny needle punctures, improving texture and firmness.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
-
There were also punctures on the outer table of the skull, injuries to the teeth and tongue, and a hemorrhage into the chest cavities, according to the filing.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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Brown responds by shoving the officer's hand down, and after the second shove, the officer throws two punches.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
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But amid the coronation for their crosstown rival, Gottlieb was looking for anything that told her this Trojans team could take some punches and also give some back in March.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gouges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gouges. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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