gauge 1 of 2

verb

variants also gage
Definition of gaugenext
1
as in to calculate
to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement glance over the pattern and try to gauge how much fabric you'll need

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to measure
to find out the size, extent, or amount of very difficult to gauge how upset he really is by his controlled reaction

Synonyms & Similar Words

gauge

2 of 2

noun

variants also gage
1
as in indicator

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in touchstone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun gauge contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gauge are criterion, standard, touchstone, and yardstick. While all these words mean "a means of determining what a thing should be," gauge applies to a means of testing a particular dimension (such as thickness, depth, diameter) or figuratively a particular quality or aspect.

polls as a gauge of voter dissatisfaction

When is criterion a more appropriate choice than gauge?

While the synonyms criterion and gauge are close in meaning, criterion may apply to anything used as a test of quality whether formulated as a rule or principle or not.

questioned the critic's criteria for excellence

When could standard be used to replace gauge?

While in some cases nearly identical to gauge, standard applies to any definite rule, principle, or measure established by authority.

standards of behavior

Where would touchstone be a reasonable alternative to gauge?

The synonyms touchstone and gauge are sometimes interchangeable, but touchstone suggests a simple test of the authenticity or value of something intangible.

fine service is one touchstone of a first-class restaurant

How are the words yardstick and criterion related as synonyms of gauge?

Yardstick is an informal substitute for criterion that suggests quantity more often than quality.

housing construction as a yardstick of economic growth

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 gauge
Verb
One is to gauge the intensity and movement of a storm, since such data is immediately relayed to the Hurricane Center. —Andrew Freedman, Axios, 6 Mar. 2025 For National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a survey in January for the Colorectal Cancer Alliance gauged the attitudes and awareness of 1,000 Americans about colorectal cancer screenings. —George Petras, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
Another key gauge that strips out volatile food and energy costs is now projected to reach 2.7%, up from 2.5% in the bank's earlier forecast. —Alain Sherter, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2025 Yes, the latest gauge of investor vibes shows uniquely high concern. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gauge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gauge
  1. calculate
  2. measure
  3. indicator
  4. touchstone
  5. figure
  6. dial
  7. principle
  8. estimate
Verb
  • Additionally, patients’ out-of-pocket costs are often calculated based on percentages of list prices that are often substantially higher than net prices.
    — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Related Stories Still, the conversion rate—calculated based on the number of site visits that result in a user purchasing something—is still 9 percent lower among consumers using generative AI, as compared with other sources of traffic.
    — Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of calculate
Verb
  • Attaching the Freyja to a Chair The Freyja is a black pad that measures 38 by 16 inches (HW) and has soft, flat padding arranged in polygonal panels.
    — PCMAG, PCMAG, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Contender, a 1,653-pound male great white shark measuring 13 feet, 9 inches, is being tracked off the coast of Florida, according to OCEARCH.
    — Julia Bonavita, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of measure
Noun
  • While the stock market does not necessarily track overall economic health, other indicators have shown weakness.
    — Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR, 11 Mar. 2025
  • This article aims to help business leaders understand what this critical economic indicator means, and the role that policy changes will play in the economic future.
    — Bill Conerly, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of indicator
Noun
  • The estate, at the edge of Chico State’s campus, served as a cultural touchstone and educational space for generations of Chico residents, but not without controversy.
    — Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Trump has made the traditional nuclear family a touchstone of domestic policy.
    — Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of touchstone
Verb
  • This indicator looks at the point and figure charts of all S & P 500 members, and determines how many of them have most recently posted a buy signal using the point and figure methodology.
    — David Keller, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Athena instantly figures it out: Amber murdered those other girls and kidnapped Jayna, using Bullock as a patsy.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of figure
Noun
  • Physical dials, buttons and switches appear to be in short supply, though there’s a volume dial on the center console, near a multipurpose rotary controller that can be used as an alternative to the main touch screen.
    — Mark Phelan, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The most eye-catching feature is the dial, marking a departure from the engraving seen in previous Urban Tribe releases.
    — Matthew Catellier, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of dial
Noun
  • None busted 25 percent because my constituents prefer transparency and principles over blind allegiance.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
  • In principle they could also be used against ground targets, though the noise of the drone would likely give people on the ground a chance to get away.
    — David Hambling, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of principle
Verb
  • Our data are now much more extensive than in 1934, when Simon Kuznets first estimated U.S. GDP.
    — Bill Conerly, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The company estimates this takedown prevented more than $27 million in victim losses.
    — Sam Sabin, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of estimate

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Cite this Entry

“Gauge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gauge. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gauge

Nglish: Translation of gauge for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gauge

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