price gouging

American  

[prahys gou-jing] / ˈpraɪs ˌgaʊ dʒɪŋ /

noun

1. an act or instance of charging customers too high a price for goods or services, especially when demand is high and supplies are limited.

   The law prohibits price gouging during weather emergencies such as snowstorms.

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Other Word Forms

• price gouger
  noun
• price gouge
  verb (used with or without object)
• price-gouge
  verb (used with or without object)

Etymology

Origin of price gouging

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

price gouging

The industry has denied price gouging, arguing it was a classic case of supply and demand, where limited supply and high demand lead to higher prices.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026

“The state has the tools in place to not only block price gouging during this emergency, but also to prosecute bad actors.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 3, 2026

Nevertheless, many believed the situation was an excuse to engage price gouging.

From Salon ● Jun. 3, 2026

Supporters’ groups had accused organizers of price gouging on transit to the New York New Jersey stadium, which lies 35 miles from the city.

From Barron's ● May 7, 2026

When he heard the story, Hiatt said, “Looks like price gouging to me.”

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French