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.
Related Words
Relevance
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 litmus test
That should be the litmus test.
—
Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026
Since the Middle Ages, this festival of uninhibited revelry and role reversals has provided the ultimate litmus test for what is and isn’t considered socially acceptable.
—Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 1 Apr. 2026
But the results of the straw poll, an informal litmus test of opinion, may not necessarily accurately predict the party's presidential nominee for 2028, long before campaigning formally kicks off.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
Yet in the 12 games since his return, despite initial rustiness, Flagg has enhanced his diverse talents, a clear indication Kidd’s early-season decision to play him at point guard was a beneficial litmus test.
—Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026
Since the Middle Ages, this festival of uninhibited revelry and role reversals has provided the ultimate litmus test for what is and isn’t considered socially acceptable.
—Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 1 Apr. 2026
But the results of the straw poll, an informal litmus test of opinion, may not necessarily accurately predict the party's presidential nominee for 2028, long before campaigning formally kicks off.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
Yet in the 12 games since his return, despite initial rustiness, Flagg has enhanced his diverse talents, a clear indication Kidd’s early-season decision to play him at point guard was a beneficial litmus test.
—Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Recent Examples of Synonyms for litmus test
Noun
-
Getting safely across Stockton Boulevard can be a challenge.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Conventional testing may seem like an additional challenge.—
Malana VanTyler,
Sacbee.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Carriers that won’t sail past Iranian drones are certainly not going to run the gauntlet of the People’s Liberation Army.—
Eyck Freymann,
Time,
17 Apr. 2026
-
And the Celtics could see a gauntlet of All-Star-level bigs in the coming weeks.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The acid test of whether California is getting bang for its taxpayers’ buck is the fact that former Californians have voted with their feet in droves.—
Jim Doti,
Oc Register,
8 Mar. 2026
-
This was a place and time in history of tremendous creativity that grew out of the acid test parties, the beatnik poets, and the Summer Of Love.—
Brian Halligan,
Fortune,
25 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Vince won the case at trial, though Linda was reportedly left in tears when an exchange in court revealed another Vince affair.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Ware is being held at the Clay County Detention Center while awaiting trial, and his escape resulted in an additional charge of felony prison breach and escape, jail records show.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Apr. 2026
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
-
And, of course, this is the first major litmus tense of the young and divisive Donald Trump presidency.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Litmus test.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litmus%20test. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
