criteria

noun

variants also criterions
plural of criterion
1
as in standards
something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared one criterion for grading these essays will be their conformity to the rules of traditional grammar

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in characteristics
something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind an exceptionally high degree of physical risk is the preeminent criterion of an extreme sport

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of criteria The order gives Interior Secretary Doug Burgum 90 days to determine whether the wolves have met federal recovery criteria for delisting or downlisting under the Endangered Species Act. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026 Loving dogs, and wanting to help people in need, are two of the biggest criteria for raisers to become a perfect match with Canine Companions. — Patricia Babcock McGraw Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026 If the secretary determines the criteria have been met, the order directs the department to begin that process. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026 Osorio’s move being an initial loan with an obligation to buy if certain criteria are met is another example of the club working around the financial limitations that were a consequence of UEFA’s rules. — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Local governments generally can’t block projects that meet the Live Local Act’s criteria, which has made the act controversial with some city commissions. — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026 The alignment of objectives and a value-creation focus, as well as the pace previously mentioned, are all criteria that are important to assess against. — Nada Usina, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Here are the stocks that met that criteria and were also up more than 5% on the week. — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criteria
  1. standards
  2. characteristics
  3. benchmarks
  4. qualities
  5. features
  6. attributes
  7. traits
  8. attributions
Noun
  • Inspectors have found hundreds of allegedly fictitious facilities, while at least 833 kitchens have been shut down for failing to meet hygiene and sanitation standards.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Both choices will serve students when faculty are clear about their ambitions and standards.
    — Sian Leah Beilock, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of standards
Noun
  • Historically, the Grand Sport has borrowed its design characteristics from the range-topping Z06, and that’s no different this time around.
    — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 3 Sep. 2026
  • This potentially allows the same aircraft platform to undertake different types of strike missions while carrying weapons configured for different target characteristics.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of characteristics
Noun
  • His greater concern is whether the field is tracking the benchmarks and measures that matter in clinical care delivery.
    — Lisa Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Waymo’s own analysis compares its autonomous-driving performance with human-driver benchmarks over equivalent distances in the same operating areas.
    — Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of benchmarks
Noun
  • But things did not click regularly enough as a team, hence the summer-long search for a new No 10-type playmaker who could provide the necessary creativity and consistency to supplement Windass’ qualities.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Nigerian pastor William Kumuyi, whose Global Crusades have taken his ministry to countries across several continents, sees those qualities as a wider feature of African Christianity.
    — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of qualities
Noun
  • Flock recently changed some of its features to prevent abuse.
    — Meg Anderson, NPR, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Conventional PCSELs generally depend on repeating patterns, and changing the shape or spacing of those features can make fabrication difficult.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of features
Noun
  • And Cullen is the reason Optimus Prime retained the attributes fans love so much about that character.
    — Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2026
  • To the surprise of probably no one, these attributes carry over beautifully into the work of country songwriting.
    — Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of attributes
Noun
  • His ability to square the ball up and not chase out of the strike zone are probably his best traits.
    — Jim Bowden, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The offense showed a lot of good traits in a small sample size, but still has strides to make as the Tigers open up the playbook.
    — PJ Green September 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of traits
Noun
  • In two cases, the publishers added specific attributions, as had been required of Miller’s book.
    — Jessica Meszaros, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The work has bounced between several attributions over the years before scholar Giuseppe Porzio identified it as a painting by Glielmo, giving bidders a fresh reason to take notice.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 3 June 2026
Definition of attributions

Browse Nearby Words

crisscrossing
criteria
criterion
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Cite this Entry

“Criteria.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criteria. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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