Thesaurus results for LITMUS TEST

litmus test

noun

Definition of litmus test

as in challenge

something (such as an opinion about a political or moral issue) that is used to make a judgment about whether someone or something is acceptable The party is using attitudes about gun control as a litmus test for political candidates.

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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 litmus test The Tates’ triumphant return to Miami functioned as something of a litmus test for conservative personalities, with some declaring that their brand of masculinity had no place in the party. — Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 29 July 2026 Patel viewed it more as a high-stakes litmus test of his wealthy audience’s altruism. — Anna Tong, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026 These two key races could act as a litmus test for the 2028 election cycle as the state of Georgia leans purple in recent elections. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 24 July 2026 Roughly a week and a half later, the company is expected to release its second quarter financials, a major litmus test of where the company is headed. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for litmus test

Recent Examples of Synonyms for litmus test

Noun

Julio Rodríguez was not granted a challenge after a strike three call by home plate umpire Emil Jimenez because Rodríguez took too long.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
Receiving the diagnosis came with its own emotional challenges.

— Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of challenge

Noun

Perhaps in writing it, Salinger was trying to negotiate whether his remarkable survival through some of the war’s worst gauntlets could be chalked up to dumb luck, or divine intervention.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
People committing crimes may now run a surveillance gauntlet to and from the scene, leaving a digital trail that can identify them much like fingerprints.

— Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of gauntlet

Noun

Najib was later detained and became one of the highest-ranking officials to be put on trial.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
There is no methodology which precisely calculates this number, but good trial attorneys can usually get within the ballpark based on their past experiences with similar cases.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of trial

Noun

But if President Xi does make a move, whether by mounting a full-scale attack or using his military to blockade the island, the key question will be where such actions fall on the litmus scale.

— Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Sep. 2025
One of the best was the part about enjoying the season and not making playoff success your litmus for hockey fandom happiness.

— Murat Ates, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024

Definition of litmus

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litmus test

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“Litmus test.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litmus%20test. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of litmus test

noun

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