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
-
The loss stings even more because Tiafoe is comfortable in these moments.—
Dan Zaksheske,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
Monitor for irritation—discontinue any product that stings, burns or worsens symptoms.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Todd’s upcoming album builds upon the grooves of his previous work but feels more honest than past releases.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
The invention that Edison brought into the offices of Scientific American also used sound vibrations to make a needle vibrate—in his case, by digging grooves into a strip of tinfoil or paper that was embossed with wax.—
Ron Cowen,
Scientific American,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
An electronic safety system monitors each cell during operations, avoiding both under- and overcharges.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
22 Aug. 2017
Noun
-
Also, check for hollows in trunks that may mean the interior portion is rotting.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Deep punctures can allow entry points for bacteria, so check your produce occasionally and use any bruised or damaged items early to keep them from spoiling.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
23 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Though Lesnar rarely cheats to win, Femi isn’t going to lose clean.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
Five average players committed to protecting the middle of the ice are more effective than four great ones and one who cheats for offence.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
The officer who was injured was the victim of punches by a fan who entered and then refused to leave a restricted area.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
-
The exhibit pulls few punches, referring bluntly to pushback against racial progress, widening gaps between rich and poor and drivers of the conservative movement from presidents Richard Nixon to Ronald Reagan.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gouges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gouges. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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