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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Recent Examples of litmus test
And that’s, for important parts of the Democratic Party, going to be the litmus test for their candidate in 2028.
—
David Frum, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026
All of that offers another pre-playoff litmus test for the Knicks (35-20), who are currently third in the East and seek to build on last year’s trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2026
Still, many wondered if the Lakers’ litmus test would come from facing the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
That litmus test can get tricky when evaluating some expenses, such as hotel stays or dinners.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
David Frum, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026
All of that offers another pre-playoff litmus test for the Knicks (35-20), who are currently third in the East and seek to build on last year’s trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2026
Still, many wondered if the Lakers’ litmus test would come from facing the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
That litmus test can get tricky when evaluating some expenses, such as hotel stays or dinners.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Recent Examples of Synonyms for litmus test
Noun
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Multiple candidates among the leading contenders represent diverse backgrounds and experiences capable of addressing California’s major challenges.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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Progressive groups are vowing to mount challenges from the left to any lawmaker who opposes the war powers vote, Axios reported.—
Nicholas Wu,
semafor.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The match kicks off a grueling gauntlet of contests.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
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Arch had his pick of colleges, but Kilgore put him through the gauntlet anyway.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
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The azaleas will be the acid test.—
Inga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Details of how a trial would move forward with states that don’t sign on to the settlement will be decided later.—
Josh Sisco,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
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Rocky declined to take the stand during the trial.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
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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 11 Mar. 2026.
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