Synonyms of touchstone

touchstone

noun

ˈtəch-ˌstōn 

as in criterion

something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared

his book has long been a touchstone for travel writing that aspires to be literature

Synonyms & Similar Words

• criterion
• standard
• benchmark
• measure
• metric
• yardstick
• barometer
• example
• gold standard
• instance
• rule
• grade
• par
• mark
• norm
• bar
• case
• average
• pinnacle
• apex
• meridian
• summit
• peak
• zenith
• acme

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deviation
• abnormality
• aberration

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun touchstone contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of touchstone are criterion, gauge, standard, and yardstick. While all these words mean "a means of determining what a thing should be," touchstone suggests a simple test of the authenticity or value of something intangible.

fine service is one touchstone of a first-class restaurant

When could criterion be used to replace touchstone?

The words criterion and touchstone can be used in similar contexts, but criterion may apply to anything used as a test of quality whether formulated as a rule or principle or not.

questioned the critic's criteria for excellence

Where would gauge be a reasonable alternative to touchstone?

Although the words gauge and touchstone have much in common, gauge applies to a means of testing a particular dimension (such as thickness, depth, diameter) or figuratively a particular quality or aspect.

polls as a gauge of voter dissatisfaction

When can standard be used instead of touchstone?

While the synonyms standard and touchstone are close in meaning, standard applies to any definite rule, principle, or measure established by authority.

standards of behavior

How do yardstick and criterion relate to one another, in the sense of touchstone?

Yardstick is an informal substitute for criterion that suggests quantity more often than quality.

housing construction as a yardstick of economic growth

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of touchstone

Poem 1 carries forth Roxanne’s touchstones—choral music, new age, dream pop—into a liminal space that’s half-lieder, half-Grouper. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 Mar. 2026

Plus, Gosling and McAdams gave us the best MTV Movie Awards moment ever by re-creating their iconic cinematic kiss onstage, codifying this movie as a millennial touchstone. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026

The 70-minute film plays more like a visual scrapbook, weaving archival footage of their ’90s heyday with the pop-culture touchstones that shaped him. —Anna Tingley, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026

As Bob Iger works his way through his final day in Disney’s corner office, the outgoing CEO will leave behind a legacy that includes such pop culture touchstones as the Star Wars saga, the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the transformative Pixar films. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 18 Mar. 2026

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