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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gouge
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2026
In a development as predictable as the Yankees overpaying for talent, viewers grew increasingly weary of getting gouged like that and responded with a wave of cord-cutting that has now ensured that OPM is no longer a viable option for RSNs.
—Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 11 Mar. 2026
Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 28 Sep. 2025
The mile-wide, 550-foot-deep gouge people see today was crafted in roughly 10 seconds when the meteorite, traveling at 26,000 mph, crash-landed in what was then a forest of juniper and piñon pines.
—Olivia Rose, AZCentral.com, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gouge
Verb
Then thunder crashes and a hand with an open wound gets gouged open.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2026
In a development as predictable as the Yankees overpaying for talent, viewers grew increasingly weary of getting gouged like that and responded with a wave of cord-cutting that has now ensured that OPM is no longer a viable option for RSNs.
—Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 11 Mar. 2026
Noun
But hey, whiskey nerds are gonna whiskey nerd and whiskey sellers are gonna gouge.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 28 Sep. 2025
The mile-wide, 550-foot-deep gouge people see today was crafted in roughly 10 seconds when the meteorite, traveling at 26,000 mph, crash-landed in what was then a forest of juniper and piñon pines.
—Olivia Rose, AZCentral.com, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gouge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gouge
Verb
-
This scene stings with recognition.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Captain Ethan Ampadu is one of the survivors of that stinging 2024 play-off final defeat.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Rotund ewes are sometimes prone to getting pinned upside down in hollows by their own weight.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Maron explained that storms can dislodge baby birds from their nests, sweep young animals out of tree hollows and even flood ground nests used by cottontails and skunks.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In two cases, the DMV fined them a total of $5,000 for overcharging people to get their vehicles after a tow and ordered Lombard to return more than $1,000 to the vehicle owners.—
Ginny Monk,
ProPublica,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The jury found that fans were overcharged for tickets as a direct result of this monopoly, paying higher fees for their tickets.—
Letitia James,
Rolling Stone,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Its song structures are mostly conventional and confessional, melodies that wear an easy groove in your ear.—
Linnie Greene,
Pitchfork,
29 Apr. 2026
-
As for less-invasive bedroom ceiling upgrade options, Cunningham recommends faux beams, tongue-and-groove ceilings, limewash paint, or simple medallions around light fixtures.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The reportedly yearlong relationship is notable in that, after their split in 2015, Stocking posted and deleted tweets saying the basketball player cheated, per The New York Post.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
-
As OutKick previously reported, Megan broke off her relationship with the NBA star last week after accusing him of cheating.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The baby was a girl and may have sustained puncture wounds, according to preliminary autopsy results cited by ABC 6 and NBC Philadelphia — her cause of death is still pending.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In crush, puncture, and saw tests, the battery produced no smoke or flames – a safety profile that's hard to ignore.—
Omar Kardoudi
April 28,
New Atlas,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Massachusetts law requires utility companies to collect an energy efficiency surcharge on all Massachusetts energy consumers.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Domestic flights will also get surcharged.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
An autopsy conducted by the Pinellas County Medical Examiner’s Office found numerous lacerations and stab wounds on Limon’s body.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Paradise is all interlocking supersaws, stabs of trancey synths, wobbles of acid house, and deep 808s, kitted out with muscular kick drums that feel like the sleek inside of a G6 en route to Ibiza.—
Harry Thorfinn-George,
Pitchfork,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gouge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gouge. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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