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
-
The shoes also have a meshy upper fabric that’s intended to provide airflow to keep your feet cool, even in the summer heat, along with grooves on the outsole for flexibility.—
Natalie LaBarbera,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
-
Clean golf clubs – particularly in the grooves – translate to better shots.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
An electronic safety system monitors each cell during operations, avoiding both under- and overcharges.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
22 Aug. 2017
Noun
-
An easy way to do this is by applying bronzer to the temples, the hollows of your cheeks, and under the jaw, as well as a bit on the bridge of your nose.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
7 May 2026
-
The manhunt has so far been contained to Stewart County, where search crews are up against an immediate terrain of steep hills with deep ravines or hollows, the sheriff said.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Attenborough communicated with the tribe using gestures, looked at their personal ornaments and enquired about the pegs in the ritual punctures in the nose of one of the men.—
Amarachi Orie,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
-
The pay reality punctures that myth entirely.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The top-two primary system also cheats voters by pushing all candidates onto one primary ballot.—
John Seiler,
Oc Register,
29 Apr. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
However, there’s usually an honor code with that – nothing else but punches and giving the fight crowd a show.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
-
Reigns hit a pair of Superman punches, but Fatu hit a kick.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gouges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gouges. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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