gauge 1 of 2

verb

variants also gage
Definition of gaugenext
1
as in to estimate
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

Related Words
2
as in touchstone

Related 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
The Texas Politics Projects also gauged voter’s opinions on other statewide races set for the November midterm ballot, including the contest for Texas governor. — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026 In a test call, the bot accurately generated action items and gauged the sentiment as neutral (and not requiring immediate action). — John Brandon, PC Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
Noun
An inflation report on Wednesday is set to provide the latest gauge of price increases as the Iran war pushes up costs for gasoline and other products. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026 Villa’s recent warm-up defeat to Bayern Munich, though a 2-1 loss, will have offered a useful gauge of what facing elite opposition demands and should stand them in good stead for the level of intensity this game in Salzburg will require. — Dean Jones, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gauge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gauge
  1. estimate
  2. measure
  3. indicator
  4. touchstone
  5. calculate
  6. dial
  7. principle
  8. figure
Verb
  • Analysts estimate that clearing this existing backlog will take another 10 to 15 days.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Coulter estimated Thursday that the library system receives one request per year.
    — Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of estimate
Verb
  • The minimum safe thickness is a threshold that measures a tank’s ability to contain the pressure of the liquid and support the tank’s weight, the report said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • These supernovas were used as a kind of cosmological measuring stick to uncover a mysterious force called dark energy that was causing the universe to expand — a discovery that earned the Nobel Prize in 2011.
    — Joe Palca, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of measure
Noun
  • Relative strength index Another momentum indicator is the RSI, or relative strength index.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026
  • First published in 2003, the ARWU relies on six indicators of academic and research performance to evaluate universities around the world.
    — Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of indicator
Noun
  • Newcastle have lost a lot of touchstones, from Howe to Guimaraes to Trippier, Gordon and Tonali.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The song is a pop culture touchstone, made famous courtesy of a multi-billion-dollar film franchise adaptation of a YA book series.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of touchstone
Verb
  • Robot depth vision The new stereo vision algorithm allows humanoid robots to calculate depth using a camera arrangement that more closely mimics human vision.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
  • In a class-action lawsuit brought on behalf of California renters, lawyers alleged that Conservice’s policy was to deny tenants the right to view specific bills or formulas used to calculate their individual charges.
    — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of calculate
Noun
  • These were followed by black- and silver-dial models retaining the dual-color bezel.
    — Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The Spring Drive seconds hand glides without interruption across the dial, quiet and uninterrupted.
    — Anthony DeMarco, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of dial
Noun
  • The episode highlights the dangers of placing party loyalty above principle and calls for an electoral system that gives voters greater choice, rewards compromise and strengthens representative democracy.
    — Kevin Richardson, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Critics say its removal contradicts the program’s founding mission and longstanding curatorial principles.
    — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of principle
Verb
  • Anthropic has seen incredible traction with enterprise customers, and there figures to be considerable overlap between the companies' customer bases.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Nabil and Sliman laughed at how the leather soon stank before Nabil could figure it all out.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of figure

Browse Nearby Words

gaudy
gauge
gauged
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Cite this Entry

“Gauge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gauge. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gauge

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gauge

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