gauge 1 of 2

variants also gage
Definition of gaugenext

gauge

2 of 2

noun

variants also gage

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
Bellwether trials are used to test legal theories and help gauge the value of claims for possible settlements. Miguel Torres, Oklahoman, 6 Feb. 2026 But just as the metrics are only one way to rank teams, the standings are only one way to gauge the significance of a sporting event. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
Wall Street’s fear gauge, the VIX, was up 10%, paring gains after soaring as much as 25%. John Towfighi, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026 Burnham was shot point blank in the face with a 12-gauge shotgun and died instantly, according to police. Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gauge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gauge
Verb
  • In September, the preliminary revision inferred that the US economy likely added about 911,000 fewer jobs than the jobs reports initially estimated for the 12-month period running from April 2024 through March 2025.
    Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Smook estimates the cost to be roughly $40,000.
    Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Robust biogenic indicators must be predicted, measured, and observationally validated.
    Big Think, Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026
  • One attempts to measure the passage of time in her outfit changes — a white jacket, shiny black leggings, a tight leather pencil skirt — although the exact numbers blur when Melania attempts to count them.
    Amy Nicholson, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • These 5-second, 10-second and shot-clock turnovers are a good indicator of the aggressive style of full-court defense that Texas liked to play.
    Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Because precious metals purchases often involve direct interaction with company representatives, responsiveness and service quality are important indicators of reliability.
    Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Back to the Future is a huge touchstone in this film, as your characters go back to 2008, which was about a year after the web series started.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The film was not a major success on its initial release but steadily grew into a midnight-movie favorite and international cult touchstone.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • However, the next key in understanding the problem was to calculate the effects of all the other planets on the orbit of Mercury.
    Big Think, Big Think, 5 Feb. 2026
  • These subtle changes allowed scientists to calculate the planet’s dimensions with unprecedented accuracy, refining measurements that had remained largely unchanged since the 1970s.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • One of five incredible timepieces AP dropped last week, the Royal Oak Self-Winding features a mesmerizing malachite dial that was easy to spot even amongst all the splashes of color on stage.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 Feb. 2026
  • All feature the game-changing Boa fit system, which makes adjusting the size (via an easy-to-reach dial) so simple that a four-year-old can figure it out.
    Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Part of the Fort Hill Wellness Series presented by the Naperville Park District, the hour-long discussion will cover the basic principles of cancer and how to navigate a colon cancer diagnosis, a news release said.
    Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
  • For a deeper look at Cramer’s approach, read his Guide to Investing for his key investment principles.
    , CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • All feature the game-changing Boa fit system, which makes adjusting the size (via an easy-to-reach dial) so simple that a four-year-old can figure it out.
    Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Guojun and Li were in their late fifties, so the sisters figured the boy was a grandson.
    Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gauge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gauge. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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