as in extortion
the exaction of a grossly excessive charge for goods or services
stores that were prosecuted for overcharging during and after the hurricane
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in gouging
to charge (someone) too much for goods or services
I think that store may have overcharged us for the shoes, which were supposed to be on sale
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in overloading
to fill or load to excess
overcharged his thesis with long, fancy words
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of overcharging
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
Jeevarajan’s team also subjected batteries to overcharging and to electrical shorts.
—Andrew Moseman, IEEE Spectrum, 22 Nov. 2025
But in January, Axon CEO and billionaire cofounder Rick Smith killed their deal, accusing Flock of overcharging and trying to lock customers into its products.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
John Paul, The Providence Journal, 23 Jan. 2026
Best Care was previously accused in civil court of fraudulently billing or overcharging the federal government for healthcare services that were never actually performed.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 1 Jan. 2026
Last year, McDonald's sparked outrage after customers began sharing their experiences of being charged nearly $20 for a single Big Mac meal combo - which many accusing the fast-food brand, typically associated with affordable food, of overcharging.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Nov. 2025
California is the biggest target after the state self-reported overcharging the federal government for health care services delivered to immigrants without legal status, determined to be at least $500 million, spurring the threat of a lawsuit.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2025
California is the biggest target after the state self-reported overcharging the federal government for health care services delivered to immigrants without legal status, determined to be at least $500 million, spurring the threat of a lawsuit.
—Angela Hart, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
The owners are accused of overcharging in categories such as crematory fees, refrigeration fees, sales tax and several others.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Florida officials are accusing two publishers of systematically overcharging some school districts for textbooks, including more than $279,000 billed to Osceola County schools.
—Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
They’re connected to smart plugs that turn on for just 15 minutes a day, enough to keep them topped off without overcharging.
—Larry Magid, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
While that’s substantial, even a much larger overcharging estimate on the part of PBMs would be a far cry from the $38 trillion national debt.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
Jeevarajan’s team also subjected batteries to overcharging and to electrical shorts.
—Andrew Moseman, IEEE Spectrum, 22 Nov. 2025
But in January, Axon CEO and billionaire cofounder Rick Smith killed their deal, accusing Flock of overcharging and trying to lock customers into its products.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
These maintain the battery with no chance of overcharging.
—John Paul, The Providence Journal, 23 Jan. 2026
Best Care was previously accused in civil court of fraudulently billing or overcharging the federal government for healthcare services that were never actually performed.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 1 Jan. 2026
Last year, McDonald's sparked outrage after customers began sharing their experiences of being charged nearly $20 for a single Big Mac meal combo - which many accusing the fast-food brand, typically associated with affordable food, of overcharging.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Nov. 2025
California is the biggest target after the state self-reported overcharging the federal government for health care services delivered to immigrants without legal status, determined to be at least $500 million, spurring the threat of a lawsuit.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2025
California is the biggest target after the state self-reported overcharging the federal government for health care services delivered to immigrants without legal status, determined to be at least $500 million, spurring the threat of a lawsuit.
—Angela Hart, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
The owners are accused of overcharging in categories such as crematory fees, refrigeration fees, sales tax and several others.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Florida officials are accusing two publishers of systematically overcharging some school districts for textbooks, including more than $279,000 billed to Osceola County schools.
—Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
They’re connected to smart plugs that turn on for just 15 minutes a day, enough to keep them topped off without overcharging.
—Larry Magid, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overcharging
Noun
-
All 10 suspects indicted in the extortion racket have pleaded guilty since their 2023 indictment.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Cartels single out returning migrants for kidnapping or extortion because they are perceived to have money.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The price-gouging allegation dates back to the early months of the pandemic, when panic over shortages led to massive supermarket shopping sprees, and some products, such as eggs, saw sharp price increases.—
Imelda García,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Those dollars have been won through cases the district attorney has joined against major corporations, including price-gouging lawsuits against Walmart and Lowe’s, an environmental lawsuit against Tesla and a case alleging deceptive business practices by HelloFresh, a meal-kit subscription company.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Instead of overloading your icy surfaces with salt, try this easy DIY deicer mixture to instantly add traction to icy driveways and steps.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 2026
-
This includes high heat, harsh detergents, overloading a washer, and heavy-duty spinning.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
An honor council, comprised of administrators, teachers, and members of the student government, would sit in judgment on cases of alleged cheating.—
Nell Freudenberger,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
In the wake of the cheating, FIS has modified its rules and brought in a coordinator to oversee screening of gear and hired former Austrian ski jumper Mathias Hafele to work as equipment expert.—
Brian Melley,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Seattle fans are hoping to erase the stinging memory of Super Bowl 49 – when the Seahawks famously decided not to run from the 1-yard line and saw Malcolm Butler intercept Russell Wilson to seal a 28-24 Patriots win.—
Jacob Camenker,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Senior lawmaker Angela Rayner, a popular figure on the left of the party, is still stinging after being forced to resign as deputy prime minister in September for failing to pay enough tax on a home purchase.—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Castle logged 22 minutes against the Mavs, loading the box score with 18 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Antonio Express-News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
And the two front-runners are loading up.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Scammers have made a career out of defrauding people, Rickard said.—
Joshua Sidorowicz,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
And besides handing over fake ashes to grieving families, the Hallfords also admitted to defrauding the federal government out of nearly $900,000 in pandemic-era aid for small businesses.—
Jesse Bedayn,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
To reduce ice crystal formation and freezer burn, use airtight packaging and avoid overfilling the freezer so air can circulate properly.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
31 Jan. 2026
-
As for the after-show, the highlight (other than Jawan overfilling his champagne glass) had to be Jeff listing all the idols and advantages that were played incorrectly or unnecessarily.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overcharging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overcharging. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
