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
An outstanding litmus test between a school coming off a Div.
—
Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Drawing inspiration from Norse and other mythologies, the trees of Middle-earth in the Lord of the Rings series are sacred beings, whose treatment stands as a moral litmus test.
—Ellen Walker, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025
This week's meeting is the first major gathering of Martin's tenure -- and an early litmus test of his popularity and trust in his leadership, as his first few months have been mired in growing pains.
—Brittany Shepherd, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2025
The $4 trillion chipmaker’s quarterly financials have become a litmus test for the AI boom—and, by extension, for the whole stock market.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Drawing inspiration from Norse and other mythologies, the trees of Middle-earth in the Lord of the Rings series are sacred beings, whose treatment stands as a moral litmus test.
—Ellen Walker, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025
This week's meeting is the first major gathering of Martin's tenure -- and an early litmus test of his popularity and trust in his leadership, as his first few months have been mired in growing pains.
—Brittany Shepherd, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2025
The $4 trillion chipmaker’s quarterly financials have become a litmus test for the AI boom—and, by extension, for the whole stock market.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Recent Examples of Synonyms for litmus test
Noun
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Finding an answer could be one of the biggest challenges of Slot’s season.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
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The challenge for Smith was to strike a balance between depicting injustice and offering hope, a task made more difficult by the current social climate.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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With games against the lowly Jets and Panthers on the horizon, Dallas has only so many shots to get right before the gauntlet of the November and December slate arrives.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Sep. 2025
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Granted, Pearl-Cohn and East Nashville have played gauntlet schedules that are significantly more difficult than their Metro counterparts.—
Tyler Palmateer,
Nashville Tennessean,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Andrew Harnik | Getty Images Russia's drone incursion into Poland now poses an acid test for NATO and the European Union.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
11 Sep. 2025
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While Google’s wildly popular TV analogue has hosted the out-of-market Sunday Ticket package since 2023, Friday’s AFC West clash will be an acid test.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
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Her litmus to make sure these moments were successful?—
William Earl,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Most offer free trials, though access may vary depending on local ABC availability.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
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The plaintiffs argued that defense attorneys cannot legally present new facts when there has already been another trial that established a set of facts.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Litmus test.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litmus%20test. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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