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

Apple is crying foul, arguing that Micron’s gross profit margins, now surpassing 80%, are evidence of price gouging.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026

While the district attorney’s office has not criminally prosecuted anyone for price gouging since the fires, both county and city attorneys have gone after alleged violators of the state law in civil court.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

Fuel retailers have denied accusations of price gouging during the conflict and the regulator has said there is no evidence of widespread attempts of profiteering.

From BBC ● Jun. 16, 2026

Feldstein Soto sued the rental giant for violating price gouging laws in the wake of the Palisades fire last year, and has openly questioned whether McKinney would shy from aggressive litigation against Airbnb if elected.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 3, 2026

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

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