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
The transaction is contingent on regulatory approval and could be a litmus test for President Donald Trump’s views on major companies combining.
—
Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
The Club World Cup will be new Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso’s first litmus test
Ahead of a fresh La Liga campaign and attempt to dethrone FC Barcelona, new Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso can test the waters at the Club World Cup.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Patriotism became a litmus test, and scholars who applied their expertise to offer critical analyses of America’s revered narratives were suspected of harboring a dangerous un-American ideology.
—Time, 20 May 2025
Related article German spy agency labels far-right AfD ‘extremist’
More than 10 million Romanians cast their vote in Sunday’s election, which was widely seen as a choice between East and West and a litmus test for the rise of Trump-style nationalism in Europe.
—Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
The Club World Cup will be new Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso’s first litmus test
Ahead of a fresh La Liga campaign and attempt to dethrone FC Barcelona, new Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso can test the waters at the Club World Cup.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Patriotism became a litmus test, and scholars who applied their expertise to offer critical analyses of America’s revered narratives were suspected of harboring a dangerous un-American ideology.
—Time, 20 May 2025
Related article German spy agency labels far-right AfD ‘extremist’
More than 10 million Romanians cast their vote in Sunday’s election, which was widely seen as a choice between East and West and a litmus test for the rise of Trump-style nationalism in Europe.
—Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Recent Examples of Synonyms for litmus test
Noun
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And, once enrolled, trying to get out of the lowest-cost premium Medicare Advantage plan may present a challenge, too.—
Diane Omdahl,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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Boise applied to the challenge with the idea of taking the city’s existing geothermal heating system to provide a solution to high utility costs in affordable housing downtown.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
8 July 2025
Noun
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Not helping that skepticism was the gauntlet Gurnee strategically set up at three major Grand Avenue intersections, from Route 21 west to Hunt Club Road.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
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And with that, the Dodgers reached the end of a 10-game gauntlet against their closest pursuers in the National League West, the Padres and San Francisco Giants.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
20 June 2025
Noun
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This is the real acid test for these insurance companies.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 May 2025
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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
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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Sign up for a free 30-day trial of Prime to access every single deal.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
9 July 2025
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Raleigh testified Tuesday, July 8, in the trial of 47-year-old Troy Morrow, who is charged with menacing − a low-level misdemeanor.—
Kevin Grasha,
The Enquirer,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Litmus test.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litmus%20test. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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