as in standards
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 touchstones
That strategy continues to drive the success of ABC and Hulu — from legacy hits being embraced by new generations to breakout series becoming the next cultural touchstones.
—
Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 May 2026
But elsewhere Margaret—who produced the record with longtime collaborator Doug Saltzman—arranges the same core sounds into more interesting, textured configurations, wielding millennial touchstones without the baggage.
—Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 29 Apr. 2026
Schreifels has cited early hardcore touchstones and their ethos of self-determination as a guiding force this time around, echoing the spirit of his own hugely influential adjacent bands Youth of Today and Gorilla Biscuits.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 23 Apr. 2026
The touchstones for the album’s softer material, Kaye says, include Townes Van Zandt, Eric Andersen, Kevin Kinney of Drivin’ N Cryin’, and Alejandro Escovedo.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2026
Although Purdue produced only a fraction of the opioid pills that flooded the market in the 2000s, advocates have long seen aggressive sales of OxyContin as one of the touchstones of the crisis.
—Geoff Mulvihill, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
While Purdue produced only a fraction of the opioid pills that flooded the market in the 2000s, advocates have long seen aggressive sales of OxyContin as one of the touchstones of the crisis.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
These are not lazy callbacks, but shared touchstones — part of a pop cultural language the film embedded into our collective consciousness, and that the show both celebrates and lovingly skewers.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 May 2026
But elsewhere Margaret—who produced the record with longtime collaborator Doug Saltzman—arranges the same core sounds into more interesting, textured configurations, wielding millennial touchstones without the baggage.
—Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 29 Apr. 2026
Schreifels has cited early hardcore touchstones and their ethos of self-determination as a guiding force this time around, echoing the spirit of his own hugely influential adjacent bands Youth of Today and Gorilla Biscuits.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 23 Apr. 2026
The touchstones for the album’s softer material, Kaye says, include Townes Van Zandt, Eric Andersen, Kevin Kinney of Drivin’ N Cryin’, and Alejandro Escovedo.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2026
Although Purdue produced only a fraction of the opioid pills that flooded the market in the 2000s, advocates have long seen aggressive sales of OxyContin as one of the touchstones of the crisis.
—Geoff Mulvihill, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
While Purdue produced only a fraction of the opioid pills that flooded the market in the 2000s, advocates have long seen aggressive sales of OxyContin as one of the touchstones of the crisis.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
These are not lazy callbacks, but shared touchstones — part of a pop cultural language the film embedded into our collective consciousness, and that the show both celebrates and lovingly skewers.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touchstones
Noun
-
The defense called just one witness – an expert in education administration and school safety who testified Parker did not breach professional standards or act with indifference.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
-
On top of misquoting statutes and misrepresenting legal standards, the filing also made broad claims about what constitutes doxing without citing a single case to support their stance.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Both the Long Range and the Citizens Bond Advisory committees were tasked with coming up with the criteria that would be used by the district to make recommendations.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 May 2026
-
The name change does not alter diagnosis criteria, and both terms will be used until new guidelines are released in 2028.—
Abby Norman,
Verywell Health,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Porter highlighted that the state should focus on ensuring students meet the educational benchmarks needed to succeed.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
Still, diagnosing Grok’s troubles on benchmarks alone may be a fool’s errand.—
Joe Wilkins,
Futurism,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Touchstones.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touchstones. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
