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
And the outlook for future profits is strong, if fans’ appetites are any gauge. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Yet the Fed pays more attention to a separate gauge, the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, which is running hotter than the CPI. — Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 20 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
  • Prosecutors alleged that Donna was one of the masterminds behind Markel’s murder, helping to fund the contract killing, which was estimated to cost even more than $100,000, according to court documents obtained by CNN.
    — Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
  • National debt service is estimated to account for more than 25% of government expenses for fiscal year 2026.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 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
  • The indicator was almost certainly deep into overbought territory during the May surge.
    — Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Running out of cash on hand is the clearest indicator that a college is at high risk of closure, Kelchen added, while consistent operating losses, enrollment declines, and large withdrawals from endowments can also signal distress.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of indicator
Noun
  • Barney & Friends, the enormously popular and widely mocked PBS series about a singing, dancing purple dinosaur, is the obvious touchstone for the children’s-show-as-hellscape in the new movie Buddy.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Using his past experience as his touchstone, today at age 59, Arnett makes Tennessee brown whiskey his way, distilling multiple products, proofs and flavors — one sure to hit the mark with his customers.
    — Judith Garrison, AJC.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of touchstone
Verb
  • As a result, organizations may struggle to monitor applications, track certification status and calculate available credits.
    — Paul Toomey, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Land facing uphill and one spine engages; land facing downhill and the other does the job without the need for a pilot to calculate the perfect approach angle.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of calculate
Noun
  • Following the release of its new Tiffany Timer in January—a chronograph with an El Primero movement housed in a platinum case with a Tiffany Blue dial—the company is already dropping another iteration.
    — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 27 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 principles come together in a retail environment that balances 7FAM’s early-2000s California heritage and its bold future under the creative direction of Nicola Brognano.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • That selectivity gives the process a different operating principle from conventional separation methods.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of principle
Verb
  • If Baylor opens up, Kinne figures to be an attractive option.
    — Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • That history figured prominently in comments from Chairman and CEO Russell Ford during the opening.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gauge

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gauge

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