as in gauntlets
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 tests
The same dynamic is now widely observed in universities, where hiring and professional advancement practices have produced increasingly uniform ideological cultures even without explicit political litmus tests.
—
James Broughel, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
When even pop stars become partisan litmus tests, that common ground keeps shrinking.
—Laurel Elder, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2026
Now, that’s escalated into litmus tests over engaging with those who espouse antisemitism and conspiracy theories — as well as structural changes in conservative institutions.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 23 Dec. 2025
The fraud debaters offer many preferred litmus tests.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 14 Dec. 2025
Demanding political litmus tests The third tactic may be the most debilitating within the military itself.
—Kristina Mani, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2025
Under the new rules, peer review is optional, while ideological litmus tests are standard.
—ArsTechnica, 19 Aug. 2025
James Broughel, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
When even pop stars become partisan litmus tests, that common ground keeps shrinking.
—Laurel Elder, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2026
Now, that’s escalated into litmus tests over engaging with those who espouse antisemitism and conspiracy theories — as well as structural changes in conservative institutions.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 23 Dec. 2025
The fraud debaters offer many preferred litmus tests.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 14 Dec. 2025
Demanding political litmus tests The third tactic may be the most debilitating within the military itself.
—Kristina Mani, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2025
Under the new rules, peer review is optional, while ideological litmus tests are standard.
—ArsTechnica, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for litmus tests
Noun
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Post-punk bands face few gauntlets as arduous as the slow song, and Landowner challenge themselves to traverse three of them.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
24 Mar. 2026
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Those odds proved to be correct, as One Battle and Sinners added the final jewels to their respective gauntlets en route to this Sunday’s Academy Awards.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Many young people are transitioning out of school, starting careers and building independence, while still developing the coping skills needed to navigate major health challenges.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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The reversal comes after Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta and the UCLA Voting Rights Project launched legal challenges last week, arguing the sheriff has no authority over election materials.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Litmus tests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litmus%20tests. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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