Synonym Chooser

How does the noun criterion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of criterion are gauge, standard, touchstone, and yardstick. While all these words mean "a means of determining what a thing should be," criterion may apply to anything used as a test of quality whether formulated as a rule or principle or not.

questioned the critic's criteria for excellence

When is gauge a more appropriate choice than criterion?

While in some cases nearly identical to criterion, gauge applies to a means of testing a particular dimension (such as thickness, depth, diameter) or figuratively a particular quality or aspect.

polls as a gauge of voter dissatisfaction

When could standard be used to replace criterion?

Although the words standard and criterion have much in common, standard applies to any definite rule, principle, or measure established by authority.

standards of behavior

When is it sensible to use touchstone instead of criterion?

The meanings of touchstone and criterion largely overlap; however, touchstone suggests a simple test of the authenticity or value of something intangible.

fine service is one touchstone of a first-class restaurant

How do yardstick and criterion relate to one another?

Yardstick is an informal substitute for criterion that suggests quantity more often than quality.

housing construction as a yardstick of economic growth

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 criterion New York Representative Dan Goldman has authored a bill allowing volunteer firefighters and EMTs to obtain federal student loan forgiveness after meeting certain criteria. Chloe Mayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025 Outdoor places and spaces like run clubs, group rides, gear shops, trails, ski areas, and others also fit Oldenburg’s criteria for third places. Gloria Liu, Outside Online, 12 May 2025 Its investigators followed a process to determine whether complaints from the public met legal criteria for a civil rights claim, then carried out investigations methodically. Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 2 May 2025 Every 15 days new talents are added based on 11-point criteria that is also used to help participants improve in certain areas too. Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for criterion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criterion
Noun
  • That figure does come with a footnote, as Kawasaki notes it was measured using the ISO 4106 standard instead of SAE standards and may be inflated compared to using the latter.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 May 2025
  • Speaking at the Lowry Theatre in Salford on Wednesday, Davie responded to a question from Nazir Afzal, a board member of the creative industries independent safeguarding agency, about trust and workplace standards.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Titan shows all the characteristics of a planet – including rivers, lakes, clouds, rain and even a salty subsurface ocean.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 12 May 2025
  • Democrats are divided, with about half saying gender identity can differ from biological characteristics at birth.
    Geoff Mulvihill, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025
Noun
  • One common misstep: assuming bigger models and better benchmarks translate to a better user experience.
    Shiva Chandrashekher, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • The goals for kindergarten-through-second-grade programs are to accelerate reading fluency, while ending the year approaching, or achieving, grade-level benchmarks.
    Gregory Harutunian, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • The Jack Black and Jason Momoa blockbuster A Minecraft Movie is new on digital streaming with bonus features this week.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
  • The Hollywood Reporter can exclusively reveal the first trailer from the feature film debut of Belgian director Valéry Carnoy.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • Created through a bipartisan measure signed into law by President Trump in 2020, the lifeline serves veterans and non-English speakers in addition to LGBTQ+ young people.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • However, opponents argued that the measures would place undue financial pressure on lower-income residents while generating insufficient revenue to cover the anticipated budget gaps.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Donate today to preserve the quality and integrity of local journalism.
    Ryan Anderson, Arkansas Online, 15 May 2025
  • The quality of the video production of podcasts has increased, too.
    Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Powered by Adelaide, Forbes AI Psychological safety, defined by McKinsey as the absence of interpersonal fear, is often cited as a defining trait of high-performing, innovative teams.
    Cynthia Pong, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
  • Just like my friends, my family and Los Angeles, Yassir benefited from this trait of mine.
    Hannah Benson, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • The 22-year-old striker is experiencing a difficult second season at the club, yet has the raw attributes to be a good No 9.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • This sort of climate analysis—based on slow changes in animal teeth, as well as their mass and other attributes at a single site—has never been published in the scientific literature.
    Michael Ray Taylor, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Criterion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criterion. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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