gouger
Definition
Noun: 1. A person who swindles or cheats others, typically by charging excessively high prices or through fraudulent schemes. This meaning emphasizes deceit and exploitation for financial gain. 2. An attacker who gouges out an opponent's eye. This is a literal, physical, and violent meaning, referring to a specific brutal action.
Usage
The word "gouger" is used to label someone who exploits others. It is a strong, negative term implying greed and unethical behavior. * As a subject: "The gouger was finally arrested for his scam." * As an object: "Consumers warned others about the price gouger."
Examples
- Noun (Swindler):
- During the crisis, the landlord was denounced as a gouger for tripling the rent.
- The market was full of gougers selling fake medicine to desperate people.
- Noun (Attacker):
- In the brutal fight, he was known as a gouger for his vicious tactics. (This usage is less common in modern general English).
Advanced Usage
- "Price gouger": This is a very common compound term specifying the type of exploitation. It refers to a seller who charges prices that are much higher than what is considered fair or reasonable, especially during an emergency.
- After the hurricane, the state attorney general prosecuted several price gougers selling bottled water.
Variants and Related Words
- Gouge (verb): The action from which "gouger" is derived.
- To make a hole or groove in something with a sharp object.
- To overcharge or swindle someone.
- Gouge (noun): A hole or groove made by gouging.
- Gouging (noun): The act or practice of charging excessively high prices.
Synonyms
- Swindler: A person who uses deception to deprive someone of money or possessions.
- Cheat: A person who acts dishonestly or unfairly to gain an advantage.
- Exploiter: A person who takes unfair advantage of a situation or person.
- Extortionist: A person who obtains something through force or threats. (This is stronger and implies coercion).
Related Phrases
- To gouge someone (for money): To extort or overcharge someone.
- The mechanic tried to gouge me for a simple repair.
Noun
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a person who swindles you by means of deception or fraud
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an attacker who gouges out the antagonist's eye
