GOUGE Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

gouge 1 of 2

verb

Definition of gouge

as in to sting

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

undercharge

gouge

2 of 2

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 gouge

Verb

Trump recently posted on his Truth Social account that big oil companies were not dropping gas prices fast enough, and that Americans were being gouged. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026 The true fans now get painted as the ones who can afford to spend four figures on tickets, book a last-minute flight on price-gouging airlines, take time off work, snatch up a downtown hotel for a couple of days and still have money left over for merch and alcohol. — Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 13 June 2026

Noun

The bomb-and-gouge method wasn’t just predicted, it was guaranteed — even by Rory McIlroy himself. — Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 16 May 2026 Boise’s 200-plus miles of Foothills trails are largely in clay-heavy soils, which means use during wet weather in the winter can leave gouges and erosion that dry and harden into deep ruts. — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 21 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gouge

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gouge

Verb

Significant stinging insect infestations like wasps and carpenter bees may also require a specialized plan that isn’t included in your general pest control service.

— Alora Bopray, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Democrats are still stung by Rogan’s nearly three-hour Trump interview in the final weeks of the 2024 campaign.

— Steven Sloan, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Definition of sting

Noun

Groups of amateur sleuths also cropped up in the hollows of tragedy to wrestle with the case and analyze rumors swarming the Horman family in online forums, echoing a familiar pattern of behavior on the internet in the face of long-unsolved criminal cases.

— Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
That single number makes every record-high headline ring hollow.

— Kam Shenai, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2026

Definition of hollow

Verb

Cobalt supply chains are plagued by unethical mining practices in remote regions worldwide, and the material itself poses a notable safety hazard due to its tendency to catch fire or short-circuit when overcharged.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 June 2026
Some said pharmacists could overcharge for a drug that normally costs pennies per pill.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 June 2026

Definition of overcharge

Noun

That said, Chicagoland has been a great track for multiple lanes of racing, and the Next Gen car loves having extra grooves to work with.

— Jess Bryant, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Wall Street heads into the first full week of July trading with interest rates in mind, as the summary of the Federal Reserve’s meeting last month push yields higher and throw of stocks’ groove.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 2 July 2026

Definition of groove

Verb

The American grandmaster shed some light on his mindset following Kramnik’s cheating accusations in a livestream prior to his death, according to the Associated Press.

— Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
Trump has also continued to claim Democrats are trying to rig or cheat in the upcoming election, remarks that have faced rebukes from members of his own party.

— Ana Ceballos Follow, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of cheat

Noun

Given their expectations entering the day, Netcompany-INEOS will be deeply disappointed with Kevin Vauquelin’s puncture, their French leader having enjoyed such an impressive Tour last year.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 4 July 2026
The puncture left a hole in his sock between his big and middle toes, where a red stain formed.

— Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026

Definition of puncture

Noun

The Lexington County Coroner's Office said on June 22 that investigators found no signs of bruising, lacerations, gunshot wounds, stab wounds, blunt force trauma, strangulation or other external injuries during a forensic autopsy.

— Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Take a stab at it by themselves and use AI as a collaborative tool—like an editor or colleague.

— Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of stab

Browse Nearby Words

gouaches

gouge

gouged

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Gouge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gouge. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of gouge

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on gouge

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gambol

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes