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 $4 trillion chipmaker’s quarterly financials have become a litmus test for the AI boom—and, by extension, for the whole stock market.
—
Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
With just nine games remaining in the regular season, every win is important, but for the Liberty, their last win was a litmus test for their championship viability.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Under the new rules, peer review is optional, while ideological litmus tests are standard.
—ArsTechnica, 19 Aug. 2025
How to answer this question This question is a litmus test for job seekers, too.
—Eli Rubel, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
With just nine games remaining in the regular season, every win is important, but for the Liberty, their last win was a litmus test for their championship viability.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Under the new rules, peer review is optional, while ideological litmus tests are standard.
—ArsTechnica, 19 Aug. 2025
How to answer this question This question is a litmus test for job seekers, too.
—Eli Rubel, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Recent Examples of Synonyms for litmus test
Noun
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This online presence includes social media platforms used for propaganda, communication and recruitment, creating a challenge for governments and platforms alike to manage the spread of extremist content in hopes of preventing potential violence.—
Richard Frankel,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
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Having spent years working tirelessly in pursuit of greatness for himself, transitioning into a leadership mindset proved to be a challenge.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Like the original, a deep exploration might reveal a powerful tool or a gauntlet of punishing encounters.—
Keller Gordon,
NPR,
8 Sep. 2025
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After the Yankees won two of three in Houston to start their gauntlet of 12 straight against current playoff teams, Judge was in the lineup and playing right field.—
Larry Fleisher,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
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While Google’s wildly popular TV analogue has hosted the out-of-market Sunday Ticket package since 2023, Friday’s AFC West clash will be an acid test.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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 government subsequently dropped its appeal of the magistrate judge’s decision to release Bryant pending his trial, according to a notice on the docket Tuesday evening.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
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The plan is to drop the first episode alongside the trial, see how things unfold in court, and, if possible, integrate relevant trial developments into the following episodes.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Litmus test.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litmus%20test. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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