price gouging

USAGE SUMMARY

"price gouging" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to a situation where prices are drastically increased in times of crisis or shortage, such as natural disasters or pandemics. Example: "When the pandemic hit, some companies engaged in price gouging, selling basic necessities at greatly inflated prices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Be mindful of price gouging.

The New York Times - Travel

The state has accused power producers of price gouging.

The New York Times

Such figures have brought media reports of price gouging.

The New York Times

To others, however, $480 tickets were just price gouging.

The New York Times

The state's attorney general warned stations against price gouging.

The Guardian

As popular resentment has grown, politicians have understandably taken up consumer complaints of price gouging.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Retailers dispute any suggestion of price-gouging.

The New York Times

We have the pharmaceutical industry, with its price-gouging practices.

Columbia University

Congress is even considering legislation against price-gouging.

The Economist

Privatization often ignites fears of price-gouging by Wall Street.

The New York Times

The division is empowered to prosecute for price-gouging.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "price gouging" in contexts where there is a clear exploitation of a crisis or shortage, rather than simply high prices.

Common error

Avoid labeling all price increases as "price gouging". Ensure the increase is substantially above what is considered reasonable and occurs during a declared emergency or crisis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "price gouging" functions as a noun, typically used as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the action or practice of exploiting consumers by charging excessively high prices during emergencies or periods of high demand. Ludwig provides various examples of its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

20%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "price gouging" refers to the unethical practice of drastically increasing prices during a crisis or shortage. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "profiteering" and "exploitative pricing" exist, "price gouging" specifically highlights the opportunistic nature of such practices during emergencies. It is crucial to use the term accurately, distinguishing it from legitimate market-driven price increases. The high frequency of "price gouging" in reputable sources underscores its relevance in discussions about ethical business practices and consumer protection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

profiteering

Refers more broadly to making excessive profits, especially during times of shortage or crisis; less specific than "price gouging".

exploitative pricing

Emphasizes the unethical nature of taking advantage of consumers through pricing, similar to "price gouging".

inflated pricing

Highlights that the prices are higher than normal or justifiable, related to "price gouging".

unconscionable pricing

Focuses on the moral objection to charging excessively high prices; conveys strong disapproval similar to "price gouging".

opportunistic pricing

Describes taking advantage of a situation to raise prices, which is a key element of "price gouging".

exorbitant pricing

Stresses that the prices are excessively high, which is central to the idea of "price gouging".

excessive markups

Refers to increasing the price of goods or services beyond what is considered reasonable; related to "price gouging".

predatory pricing

Involves pricing goods or services at a level that is difficult or impossible for competitors, more general compared to "price gouging".

overcharging

Simply means charging more than a fair or standard price, but doesn't necessarily imply a crisis situation like "price gouging".

raising prices unfairly

Describes increasing prices in a way that is unjust or inequitable, which can be a component of "price gouging".

FAQs

How can I use "price gouging" in a sentence?

You can use "price gouging" to describe situations where sellers drastically increase prices of essential goods or services during a crisis. For example, "The state's attorney general warned stations against "price gouging" during the hurricane."

What is the legal definition of "price gouging"?

The legal definition of "price gouging" varies by jurisdiction but generally refers to selling essential goods or services at unreasonably inflated prices during a state of emergency or market disruption. Many states have "price gouging laws" to prevent this.

What are some alternatives to "price gouging"?

Alternatives include "profiteering", "exploitative pricing", or "opportunistic pricing". Each term carries slightly different connotations, but they all refer to taking unfair advantage of consumers through pricing strategies.

What's the difference between "price gouging" and simply raising prices?

"Price gouging" specifically refers to raising prices to an excessive level during a crisis or emergency, exploiting consumer vulnerability. Simply raising prices may be due to market forces or increased costs, without the element of exploitation seen in "price gouging".