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

Relevance

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

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

Miller is using PredictIt, the largest U.S. political betting site, to gauge the contest between the two candidates. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024 If Nielsen’s new methodology is widely accepted, Madison Avenue could be come even more dependent on its measurement services in era in which the best way to gauge audiences is still very much up for debate. —

Brian Steinberg, Variety, 1 Nov. 2024

Noun

Price increases have fallen to their lowest level in more than three years in the latest reading of the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, strengthening the outlook for more interest rate cuts to come. —

Tobias Burns, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2024 The Personal Consumption Expenditures price index, which is the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, showed prices rose 2.1% for the year ended in September, a slowdown from 2.3% in August, according to Commerce Department data released Thursday. —

Alicia Wallace, CNN, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gauge

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gauge

Verb

The management fee is calculated as a percentage of the total net assets of UNG.

Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
As technology improved, scientists were better able to calculate Pluto’s mass, which prompted some astrophysicists to argue Pluto was not Planet X.

Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024