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
While the Cowboys will have 10 days of rest before taking on the Packers, the back-to-back road swing of Green Bay and the Philadelphia Eagles will be a true litmus test of where the team could be headed.
—
Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026
But it’s meant as a litmus test.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 14 May 2026
In deep-red Idaho, where Republicans dominate the state’s Legislature and executive branch, disagreement over how aggressively the state should enforce immigration policy has become a litmus test for some of whether Republican politicians are sufficiently conservative.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 11 May 2026
In California governor race, single-payer is a litmus test.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026
But it’s meant as a litmus test.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 14 May 2026
In deep-red Idaho, where Republicans dominate the state’s Legislature and executive branch, disagreement over how aggressively the state should enforce immigration policy has become a litmus test for some of whether Republican politicians are sufficiently conservative.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 11 May 2026
In California governor race, single-payer is a litmus test.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Recent Examples of Synonyms for litmus test
Noun
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For Harris, the mental challenge is deeply personal.—
Lauren Pastrana,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
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One challenge was how to use the Knicks' depth by tinkering with his rotation.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
Noun
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To get this far, the architects navigated an unholy gauntlet of constraints.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
8 June 2026
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Holliday was the winner of the Battle for the Brave 12-man gauntlet match.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
Noun
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Self-translation is the acid test for one’s writing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
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The acid test of whether California is getting bang for its taxpayers’ buck is the fact that former Californians have voted with their feet in droves.—
Jim Doti,
Oc Register,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Karmelo Anthony trial continued Saturday for almost nine hours with about a dozen witnesses at the Collin County Courthouse.—
Dawn White,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
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Party leader Samvel Karapetyan is on trial for allegedly advocating for the government's overthrow, which the Armenian-Russian billionaire has rejected as a politically motivated case.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Noun
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In a month jam-packed with elections, the unique race serves as yet another litmus of Trump's endorsement in the midterms.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
26 May 2026
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But if President Xi does make a move, whether by mounting a full-scale attack or using his military to blockade the island, the key question will be where such actions fall on the litmus scale.—
Ned Temko,
Christian Science Monitor,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Litmus test.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litmus%20test. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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