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

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
To try and gauge the effect on corporate profits, Wall Street has focused on evaluating how long the war might last and its likely global economic impact. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026 An Institute of Governmental Studies poll in August gauged interest in the potential candidacy of Newsom and Harris. —Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
Single 5Ah battery with fuel gauge. —Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 25 Mar. 2026 Analysts continue to point to oil futures contracts as a gauge of price expectations. —Medora Lee, USA Today, 20 Mar. 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
  • But state lawmakers estimate a quarter to half of current enrollees — as many as 40,000 people — would be thrown off the Medicaid expansion under the requirements in House Bill 913 and forced to find coverage another way, or go without.
    — Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The latest statistics estimate there are more than 500,000 DACA recipients in the country.
    — Mathew Miranda Updated March 31, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of estimate
Verb
  • Whether measured in testosterone levels, bone density, lung capacity, or muscle mass, biological males carry inherent physical advantages over women.
    — Lisa Frizell, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Keep the rollout simple, measure what works, and if replies scatter, create a thread to organize them.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 Apr. 2026
Definition of measure
Noun
  • For Jim Paulsen, the real recession indicator is watching Walmart.
    — Jake Angelo, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The latest data was published in the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce’s yearly economic indicators report, which offered an overall bleak picture of the Bay Area economy, including declining buying power among residents and deepening office vacancies in the city.
    — Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of indicator
Noun
  • Certain to be a touchstone for teen-agers grappling with identity and prom problems this spring, Pretty in Pink is discolored by a pat and incredible ending.
    — Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The 1988 romantic comedy Crossing Delancey featured pickles prominently, as the protagonist wrestles with her Jewish heritage and her feelings for a charming pickle vendor, highlighting how pickles can serve as both a cultural touchstone and a source of humor.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of touchstone
Verb
  • The president also revised the tariff levied on metals in finished products, eliminating it for products with less than 15% metal and changing how it is calculated for products with more metal content.
    — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
  • At the same time, money market account interest rates are variable, so some conjecture will be required when trying to calculate the interest-earning capacity of an $80,000 deposit.
    — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of calculate
Noun
  • Sonya and Jason, the inn's effervescent community coordinators seem to have every islander on speed-dial and will plan and replan your itinerary as many times as needed.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The dial is all about legibility, with white markings over a black surface, including a larger-than-usual tachymeter scale printed on one of the deepest flanges in the business.
    — Carol Besler, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of dial
Noun
  • The same principle should guide any arrangement over the Strait of Hormuz.
    — Comfort Ero, Time, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Since 2018, the Day4Empathy reinforces Ebert’s embrace of the universal principles of empathy, humility, compassion and paying acts of kindness forward, Chaz Ebert said.
    — Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of principle
Verb
  • Listeners have been trying to figure that out.
    — Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • As the frantic final seconds unfolded, Huskies coach Dan Hurley figured a timeout would do little good.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of figure

Browse Nearby Words

gaudy
gauge
gauged
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gauge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gauge. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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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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