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 next

as in to calculate

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in touchstone

Synonyms & Similar 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

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of gauge

Verb

The index gauges the impact of government spending, taxes and labor market freedom. —

Chris Wade | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Dec. 2024 Difficult enough to gauge under normal circumstances, but this situation was sui generis. —

Josh Condon, Robb Report, 8 Dec. 2024

Noun

The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index, rose 2.3% year-over-year and 0.2% on a monthly basis in October. —

Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 4 Dec. 2024 Here's a neat gadget for a touch of functional, neon-minimalist home decor: a palm-sized smart canister device that fixes onto a wall and uses slim, moving LED beams to create giant, glowing, multicolor clocks and/or temperature gauges. —

New Atlas, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gauge

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gauge

Verb

Then, that data was used to set personalized goals, calculate PowerZone metrics and recommend specific classes.

Andrew Schultz, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
One proposal would let employers calculate overtime based on a longer stretch of time, so workers would earn 1.5 times their regular pay only after exceeding 80 hours over a two-week period.

Andrea Hsu, NPR, 16 Dec. 2024