GAUGE Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

gauge 1 of 2

verb

variants also gage

Definition of gauge

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

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

as in indicator

Related Words

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 team had to balance weight and waterproofing as well as figure out successful take off and landing in water, which reflects light and challenges the sensors used in most consumer drones to gauge distance from the ground. — Max Cea, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 For one, there was the bats’ nest to contend with, which required a bat specialist who had to spend three nights in the property to gauge how many bats flew in and out. — Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026

Noun

The accelerometers captured the bell’s response to being tapped, and the force gauge measured the force of impact as a function of time. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2026 Goldman Sachs estimated in a report Tuesday that the AI buildout has added about a half-percentage point to the annual inflation rate, according to the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge. — Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gauge

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gauge

Verb

Within an hour, the incident was estimated at about 35 acres, including various spot fires that erupted as winds pushed the flames forward.

— Tom Tapp, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
And Gartner estimates that 80% of neocloud providers will cease independent operations by 2030 because their revenues won’t cover their outgoings.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of estimate

Verb

Engagement is often seen as a metric about sentiment that can be measured and tracked, but is treated as something employees bring—or fail to bring—to their jobs.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Testing sensors on canisters During the INL demonstration, researchers installed optical fibers outside a mock nuclear fuel canister and tested several arrangements to measure acoustic vibrations.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of measure

Noun

The index is a weighted sum of six sub-indices that are derived from Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data, PMI comments trackers and PMI commodity price and supply indicators that are compiled by S&P Global.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
The broad market's rise lifted some components of the S & P 500 – notably a few energy stocks – into overbought territory, based on the relative strength index (RSI), a momentum indicator that tracks the velocity and size of price changes.

— Tobias Burns, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of indicator

Noun

The show became a sci-fi touchstone with vast influence on television and pop culture.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
The show was both a touchstone and a lightning rod for its depiction of a group of millennial young women in New York, with its vocal haters often louder than its many devotees.

— Andrew Dalton, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of touchstone

Verb

Policymakers and advocates have proposed alternatives to the CPI-W for calculating the annual COLA.

— Lorie Konish, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
When the drone flies near an object and a whisker grazes or bends against a surface, the pressure changes at the base are measured in under two milliseconds, enabling the drone to calculate contact location and depth with millimeter precision.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of calculate

Noun

This platinum version with its salmon-toned dial on a platinum bracelet is exceptionally rare.

— Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2026
Last year’s rotary dial Gboard borrowed from old telephone hardware, making users physically turn concentric dials to select letters.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of dial

Noun

Without principle, without a moral compass, with no checks and balances, our would-be-dictator is an embarrassing stain on the soul of a once-proud America.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
The deeper craft In the age of AI, the value of these principles has never been higher.

— Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of principle

Verb

While the club also signed former Chief Justin Watson to the practice squad on Monday, Reid on Wednesday suggested Allen in particular will figure more in their plans now.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026
All need to figure ways to get the ball to their star athletes on offense and prevent big plays on defense.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of figure

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“Gauge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gauge. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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noun

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