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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of litmus test
The Democratic primary could become a litmus test for the future of the party in a key swing state and Senate contest.
—
Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2025
However, even one Democratic win will be seen as a litmus test for the Trump administration's popularity after a host of executive actions and other policy efforts that have divided Americans and threaten to bite into the GOP's post-November popularity.
—Tom Norton, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
The denial Saturday by the Wisconsin Court of Appeals is the latest twist in Musk's deep involvement in the race, which has set a record for spending in a judicial election and has become a litmus test for the opening months of Donald Trump's presidency.
—Arkansas Online, 30 Mar. 2025
Jeff Bezos mandated this—not as a writing drill, but as a litmus test.
—Daniel Lotzof, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2025
However, even one Democratic win will be seen as a litmus test for the Trump administration's popularity after a host of executive actions and other policy efforts that have divided Americans and threaten to bite into the GOP's post-November popularity.
—Tom Norton, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
The denial Saturday by the Wisconsin Court of Appeals is the latest twist in Musk's deep involvement in the race, which has set a record for spending in a judicial election and has become a litmus test for the opening months of Donald Trump's presidency.
—Arkansas Online, 30 Mar. 2025
Jeff Bezos mandated this—not as a writing drill, but as a litmus test.
—Daniel Lotzof, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Recent Examples of Synonyms for litmus test
Noun
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The bail hearing in her challenge to her confinement came after a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration had until May 14 to comply with a district court's order to transfer Ozturk to immigration custody in Vermont.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
10 May 2025
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The History of Assassination Attempts on U.S. Presidents, Including Ronald Reagan’s Near-Fatal Bullet Wound in 1981 Brady's wound left him with permanent disabilities, including speech challenges and partial paralysis that required him to use a wheelchair.—
Kyler Alvord,
People.com,
9 May 2025
Noun
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Ahead of the always-pivotal gauntlet of Restaurant Wars, after which the production will leave its home base of Toronto for other locales across Canada, Simmons, Kish and head judge Tom Colicchio sat down with Variety.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
1 May 2025
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Whilst 500 million Windows 10 users are sitting on a free Windows 11 upgrade offer, this less fortunate group needs to decide between a hefty PC upgrade bill or the risk of running the security gauntlet without support.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Liverpool passed acid tests in Milan and Manchester, and are perfect from six Champions League games, only conceding once.—
Liam Tharme,
The Athletic,
31 Dec. 2024
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That was the acid test that our music was acceptable.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
22 Dec. 2024
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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The texts were read in court for the first trial on May 24, 2024, by Higgins himself.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2025
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What do these names have to do with the Diddy trial?—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Litmus test.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litmus%20test. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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