as in standards
something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared
this prize-winning biography will be the benchmark against which all others will be judged in future years
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Recent Examples of benchmarks
The figure is more than 6,000 times higher than the country’s computing power as reflected in the Top500 list, one of the few available benchmarks for comparing China’s supercomputing progress with other countries, especially the United States, according to the SCMP.
—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
Hawaii is one of six states that meet all the institute’s benchmarks.
—Moriah Balingit, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
The national institute outlines 10 quality benchmarks for preschools, related to teacher training, class size and curriculum.
—Moriah Balingit, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
The warming climate is worsening the flood risk, and disasters like the one Michigan is experiencing are setting higher benchmarks for safety as communities plan future infrastructure.
—The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
And Georgia, another state with Republican leadership, is the first to have a universal preschool program that meets all quality benchmarks set by the National Institute of Early Education Research.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Contribution rates could be tied to measurable job-displacement benchmarks, declining if disruption slows.
—Nicolas S. Rohatyn, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Both Pritchard and Sara Friedlander, deputy chairman of postwar and contemporary art at Christie’s, told ARTnews that works by Krasner have traded in the growing private market, with some major works selling at levels that match or exceed public benchmarks.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
The rebound in stocks means 401(k) plans, individual retirement accounts and personal portfolios invested in funds that track the S&P 500 or other US stock benchmarks are recovering after a rocky few weeks.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
Hawaii is one of six states that meet all the institute’s benchmarks.
—Moriah Balingit, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
The national institute outlines 10 quality benchmarks for preschools, related to teacher training, class size and curriculum.
—Moriah Balingit, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
The warming climate is worsening the flood risk, and disasters like the one Michigan is experiencing are setting higher benchmarks for safety as communities plan future infrastructure.
—The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
And Georgia, another state with Republican leadership, is the first to have a universal preschool program that meets all quality benchmarks set by the National Institute of Early Education Research.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Contribution rates could be tied to measurable job-displacement benchmarks, declining if disruption slows.
—Nicolas S. Rohatyn, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Both Pritchard and Sara Friedlander, deputy chairman of postwar and contemporary art at Christie’s, told ARTnews that works by Krasner have traded in the growing private market, with some major works selling at levels that match or exceed public benchmarks.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
The rebound in stocks means 401(k) plans, individual retirement accounts and personal portfolios invested in funds that track the S&P 500 or other US stock benchmarks are recovering after a rocky few weeks.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benchmarks
Noun
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Speaking on a recent analyst call, Dimon also pointed to some easing in underwriting standards across the market, noting that the trend extends beyond private credit.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
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Good Jobs First said in most cases, states are failing to disclose incentives in violation of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, a private organization that sets financial reporting standards for state and local governments.—
Kevin Hardy,
Baltimore Sun,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In a flurry of activity beginning on March 8, 2025, Purdue filed documents that show lines crossing out the eligibility criteria and victim compensation amounts, with no explanation or substitute language.—
Craig R. McCoy,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
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That major hedge is new, and seriously waters down the importance of these two existing constitutional criteria.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Lawrence, though, is widely regarded as a top-five player at his position, whereas Greenard falls around 15th among edge rushers in most meaningful metrics.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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There’s a difference between having the data and actually taking meaningful action — and if the metrics are making a meaningful difference in your life.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Benchmarks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benchmarks. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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