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
Demanding political litmus tests The third tactic may be the most debilitating within the military itself.
—
Kristina Mani, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2025
Sleeping well after a big decision has always been my litmus test to know if a jump is right.
—Alex Ross, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
But while wrestling the league title back from Barcelona at the first time of asking would represent success for Alonso, the litmus test for any Real Madrid manager remains the Champions League.
—Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Both teams expect to be playing deep into January (and maybe into February if things go right), so this prime-time showdown will be a good litmus test for both squads.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Kristina Mani, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2025
Sleeping well after a big decision has always been my litmus test to know if a jump is right.
—Alex Ross, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
But while wrestling the league title back from Barcelona at the first time of asking would represent success for Alonso, the litmus test for any Real Madrid manager remains the Champions League.
—Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Both teams expect to be playing deep into January (and maybe into February if things go right), so this prime-time showdown will be a good litmus test for both squads.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Recent Examples of Synonyms for litmus test
Noun
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This particular challenge serves many purposes.—
Joe Boylan,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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That posed a challenge for DBS, which serves clients across China, Southeast Asia, and India.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Regardless of West Virginia’s record, TCU can’t overlook the Mountaineers, especially when the final four games of the season appear to be a gauntlet.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Oct. 2025
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While Mahomes has managed to stay upright without Simmons, Kansas City's next few games are a gauntlet.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Oct. 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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For example, the trials had a limited number of participants, of which more than two-thirds were female.—
Simon Spichak,
Health,
22 Oct. 2025
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The verdict of the Specialized Criminal Court in the city of Banska Bystrica closes a trial that began in July and whose main question was whether Cintula, who admitted shooting Fico, was guilty of terrorism or less serious crimes of murder or attack.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Litmus test.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litmus%20test. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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