Thesaurus results for LITMUS TEST

litmus test

noun

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 of litmus test in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Yet as Mattis’s and Austin’s appointments show, military service is becoming a litmus test for Pentagon policy jobs traditionally held by civilians, and this is true even at lower levels. —

Risa Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2021 Commentary and opinions Anita Chabria: ‘Tampon Tim’ is a litmus test for American men. —

Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2024 David Loy, the First Amendment Coalition’s legal director, said in an interview that both proposals involve the types of litmus tests that the Supreme Court has roundly rejected. —

Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 24 July 2024 The cult franchise has become a hit for scary-movie fans and a litmus test for more squeamish audiences. —

Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 22 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for litmus test

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'litmus test.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.