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 Wired is seeing that this draft works as a litmus test for Darius Garland. — The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 23 June 2026 That’s been the litmus test, really. — Matt Minton, Variety, 19 June 2026 A lot of two-out hits This series was considered a litmus test of sorts for the Mets in the NL East coming into it. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 18 June 2026 How investors see that jagged downward red line is a litmus test of their economic worldview. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for litmus test

Recent Examples of Synonyms for litmus test

Noun

Rolison shared some of his experiences, ups and downs with the Colorado Rockies, the challenges of coming back from injuries and the business side of the game.

— Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Editorially, the biggest challenge was giving the film a coherent throughline that interpreted the events for audiences in a comprehensible and entertaining way.

— Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2026

Definition of challenge

Noun

With nature’s molecule at the core, the drug candidate then faces the same gauntlet of clinical trials as any other, a process that often spans a decade or more.

— Steve Midway, STAT, 16 July 2026
The National Mall seems to be wrapped in a variety of fencing, some of it in place for construction reasons, some of it to create a security gantlet for the July 4 celebration.

— Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026

Definition of gauntlet

Noun

At the time, Neill spoke about embarking on a trial of CAR T-cell therapy, which genetically modifies patients’ blood cells, per 7NEWS.

— Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026
The company is also likely to clock more sales and see shares surge if trials for Felzartamab, an investigational kidney disease treatment, continue to yield strong results, according to Truist.

— Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 13 July 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 19 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of litmus test

noun

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