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

For those who experienced his rise in real time (and, frankly, many at SoFi probably had, based on their millennial look), Jay has been a pop impresario, a cultural touchstone who helped graft hip-hop culture onto the mainstream. — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 25 Oct. 2026

With the news that Girls is returning to HBO for a five-episode revival series, Glee is the second touchstone show from the 2010s to announce a revival in as many weeks. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026

Waititi’s touchstone for his movie appears to be Edward Scissorhands, down to working with recent Tim Burton alum Ortega. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026

Gothic literature supplanted the medieval Ars Moriendi; a secular touchstone of this cultural moment is Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. — Kristin Idaszak, Longreads, 22 Oct. 2026

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!