acid test

noun

: a severe or crucial test

Examples of acid test in a Sentence

The new team faced its first acid test when it played the national champions.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
While Google’s wildly popular TV analogue has hosted the out-of-market Sunday Ticket package since 2023, Friday’s AFC West clash will be an acid test. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 5 Sep. 2025 The 2025 season could very well be an acid test of sorts for Purdy. Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025 But the acid test will only come on upcoming flights, beginning Sunday with the vehicle's tenth test flight. Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2025 Liverpool passed acid tests in Milan and Manchester, and are perfect from six Champions League games, only conceding once. Liam Tharme, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for acid test

Word History

Etymology

so called from the use of nitric acid to determine the gold content of jewelry

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of acid test was in 1854

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Acid test.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acid%20test. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on acid test

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!