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
With the Vikings effectively telling McCarthy not to worry about the nuances of the offense and play ball, this week will be a litmus test for the 22-year-old quarterback who has five more starts to prove himself as a starter moving forward.
—
Trevor Squire, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
One litmus test for draft stock is how a player performs against the best of the best, and Smith did not show out against Ohio State (zero pressures), Iowa (one pressure) and Oregon (two pressures and one sack).
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 26 Nov. 2025
Monday night was a litmus test for the 49ers.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 25 Nov. 2025
The Padres will be an interesting litmus test.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 15 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Trevor Squire, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
One litmus test for draft stock is how a player performs against the best of the best, and Smith did not show out against Ohio State (zero pressures), Iowa (one pressure) and Oregon (two pressures and one sack).
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 26 Nov. 2025
Monday night was a litmus test for the 49ers.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 25 Nov. 2025
The Padres will be an interesting litmus test.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 15 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Recent Examples of Synonyms for litmus test
Noun
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Global capability centers have evolved far beyond tech support, but their growth presents challenges for multinationals and Indian cities alike.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
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However, many share the White House's concern that the Nigerian leadership is failing to meet the scope of the challenges the country faces.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Adams had carefully shepherded it through an often-recalcitrant City Council and through the gauntlet of demands coming from both the real estate lobby and pro-housing advocates.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
1 Jan. 2026
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However, according to Sounwave, Lamar’s chief producer and longtime friend, GNX was in the works long before any gauntlets were thrown.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The azaleas will be the acid test.—
Inga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Oct. 2025
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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
Noun
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Jackson, who famously won an acquittal in the murder trial of Karen Read and represented disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein, did not explain his decision to withdraw from the case.—
Matt Gutman,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Dugan was suspended by the Wisconsin Supreme Court in April, but continued to collect her roughly $175,000 annual salary while awaiting trial.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Litmus test.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litmus%20test. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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