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 Each coffee was scored based on criteria such as acidity, body, and sweetness (which everyone ranked 10 out of 10) before the whole lot was averaged for a score out of 100. Alex Mayyasi, Saveur, 10 Sep. 2025 In theory, the Estadi Johan Cruyff does not actually meet the criteria required to host La Liga games. Pol Ballus, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025 The Bill also establishes that streamers must have in their catalogs a minimum of 10% of Brazilian content, and establishes criteria of prominence for local films and TV shows, which must be visible on their platforms. Marcelo Cajueiro, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025 Projects would need to meet a set of seven criteria to be able to move quickly through a review by the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office. Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for criterion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criterion
Noun
  • The company could work with the government to determine if a waiver could be granted without violating standards such as patient privacy, safety and consumer protection.
    Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Microsoft’s donation of DocumentDB to the Linux Foundation marks a strategic shift in the NoSQL database landscape, creating the first vendor-neutral document database standard that could reshape how enterprises approach data architecture decisions.
    Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • These characteristics make the merger an almost exact replica of that first, groundbreaking detection from 10 years ago, according to Isi.
    Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Our panel said the leading characteristic of this fish is its robust, punchy flavor and emphasized the anchovies should have a balance of salt and umami.
    Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Arya is hoping the Modern Market 100 will give investors a framework to benchmark performance across both asset classes.
    Sarah Min, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
  • For example, much of the industry chases bragging rights on public benchmarks, which rank models on tasks like math or logic puzzles.
    Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The 2025 Ford Explorer’s welcome new features add function to an already good midsize SUV.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • His killing could become not just a tragedy but a catalyst—an event that radicalizes ever more Americans, less an aberration than a feature of our increasingly perilous national politics.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Demand-side measures are the right approach.
    Joel Thayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
  • In a 2013 survey of criminologists, public health scholars, and legal academics, an assault weapons ban was ranked the single most effective measure among 20 policy options for reducing mass shootings.
    John J. Donohue, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The region experienced good air quality today, which should continue into the night.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • When investing in quality bedding, a solid sheet set is an ideal starting point.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Those traits all kind of culminated in me joining the Kansas City Defender around the time of the protests.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Shoddy-Mushroom-8456/Shoddy-Mushroom-8456 Others thought Bella could be a Goldador—a popular cross between a golden retriever and a Labrador retriever, combining the traits of both breeds.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Documenting positive attributes such as community involvement, steady employment, family support, and other meaningful contributions is also a wise move.
    Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Lazar said the key attribute a successful prime minister must now have is the ability to unify the blocs of the National Assembly, which want to avoid another dissolution of parliament.
    Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Criterion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criterion. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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