Thesaurus results for LITMUS TEST

litmus test

noun

Definition of litmus test

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of litmus test Chesney’s mental training ultimately serves as a litmus test in discovering who is cut from a different cloth. — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026 With three preseason games and two joint practices ahead in the coming weeks, the Cowboys will get a few litmus tests before hitting the field in Week 1 against the New York Giants. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Aug. 2026 Add in the race and religion factors animating the race, and Tuesday’s primary in Michigan could lay bare which litmus tests are likely to shape the 2028 presidential contest. — Philip Elliott, Time, 3 Aug. 2026 Through a more critical lens, many in Hollywood will treat its box office result as a litmus test for Marvel’s health for 2026 and beyond. — Jack Dunn, Variety, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for litmus test

Recent Examples of Synonyms for litmus test

Noun

Rising costs, complex permitting processes, and infrastructure challenges have made the city less competitive even for productions that want to stay local.

— Sam Roseme, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
Winning the primary, surviving the general Nationalization presents perhaps its biggest challenge during the transition from a primary to a general election.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of challenge

Noun

As Houston begins a gauntlet week on the road against the Phillies and Rays, submit questions for The Athletic’s Chandler Rome to answer in an upcoming mailbag.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Those lofty ambitions must first survive the 17-game gauntlet that is the NFL regular season.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of gauntlet

Noun

An incumbent senator, a former senator and several ex-government engineers and public works officials as well as wealthy construction executives have been detained while facing trial on corruption charges.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
Skerda already excluded other claims from Sandusky that one victim profited from a trust set up with prosecutors’ help after the trial and that Sandusky’s trial attorneys were ineffective.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of trial

Noun

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
One of the best was the part about enjoying the season and not making playoff success your litmus for hockey fandom happiness.

— Murat Ates, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024

Definition of litmus

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“Litmus test.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litmus%20test. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of litmus test

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