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 What Spolin did not inform families was that their relatives, convicted of murder, kidnapping and other violent offenses, did not meet the criteria in Los Angeles or Orange counties — and that prosecutors there had repeatedly told him of their policies in writing. Harriet Ryan, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025 However, the New Orleans ICE field office said Khalil didn’t meet the policy’s criteria and denied the request without explanation. Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 18 June 2025 Two financial criteria were used to determine at-risk rural hospitals, according to the report: The hospital is among the top 10% of rural hospitals in the U.S. that treat the most Medicaid patients. Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2025 But Rodriguez and Desmond both said the overpass did not fit the criteria for a lane reduction because of the high volume of cars. Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for criterion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criterion
Noun
  • Some of those tracks remain standards from that era and rank not just among the most successful, but also the most critically acclaimed of all time.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
  • The court's majority found that Tennessee's law is not subject to a heightened level of judicial review and satisfies the most deferential standard, known as rational basis.
    June 18, CBS News, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • At this stage, Abiteboul explained the car is undergoing endurance dyno testing to fine tune the characteristics of the engine and gearbox.
    Trinity Francis, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • In matters of foreign policy and national security, the presidency now has the characteristics of a personalist dictatorship.
    ELIZABETH N. SAUNDERS, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • The new car will bolster safety to new benchmarks with an ergonomic driver cockpit to improve seating position, an integrated aeroscreen and a new roll hoop.
    Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
  • The cryptocurrency exchange El Dorado — often used as a benchmark for Monitor Dólar — also shut down operations in Venezuela following the arrests.
    Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • The only above-ground feature is a rooftop penthouse, while everything else is tucked deep underground.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025
  • Shoppers love it, too: Over 1,000 pool owners have given the Scuba S1 a perfect rating, praising its long battery life and futuristic deep-cleaning features.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • To this end, the companies market the continuous glucose monitor, or CGM, a quarter-size sensor that takes a near-constant measure of the glucose in the fluid between a person’s cells.
    Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 19 June 2025
  • The giving and receiving of care is shown to be enriched, on both sides, by flexibility, creativity, humor, and a measure of make-believe.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • The relationship has a transactional quality that harms the possibilities of a concrete alliance, a detail that has emerged to Iran’s detriment in the war.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 19 June 2025
  • In the office, your communication skills can be just as important as the quality of your work.
    Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • The Dalmatian Club of America, for example, spent decades urging breeders to euthanize deaf puppies so the trait wouldn’t spread.
    Lila Hempel-Edgers, Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2025
  • Additionally, the study also found a correlation between breathing traits and a person’s mental health.
    Jay Kakade June 22, New Atlas, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • The list of spirits is long, each with their own physical attributes, epic folklore and methods of appeasement.
    Vanessa Anderson, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
  • Using cryptographic tools like zero-knowledge proofs, individuals can verify specific identity attributes—like being over 18—without disclosing more than necessary.
    Steven Smith, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Criterion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criterion. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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