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
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Recent Examples of touchstones
Both cases became touchstones for how ethics consultants and care teams navigate the life‑and‑death decisions that have become routine in an era of life‑sustaining technology.
—
Jennifer McCurdy, The Conversation, 2 June 2026
Comparisons work in the film’s favor, positioning Backrooms alongside Iron Lung and cult horror touchstones rather than disposable genre fare.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 31 May 2026
Or are Mario Bros memorabilia and Pokémon cards the new cultural touchstones?
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 25 May 2026
In today's nostalgia economy, the '90s are a particularly powerful force thanks to cultural touchstones like Calvin Klein, the Spice Girls, and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's wedding dress.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 23 May 2026
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
Jennifer McCurdy, The Conversation, 2 June 2026
Comparisons work in the film’s favor, positioning Backrooms alongside Iron Lung and cult horror touchstones rather than disposable genre fare.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 31 May 2026
Or are Mario Bros memorabilia and Pokémon cards the new cultural touchstones?
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 25 May 2026
In today's nostalgia economy, the '90s are a particularly powerful force thanks to cultural touchstones like Calvin Klein, the Spice Girls, and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's wedding dress.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 23 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touchstones
Noun
-
The service Service staff here operate to the highest standards.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
In recent months, the scrutiny has expanded, with a new layer of fact-checking and standards installed by corporate.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
The Justice Department hasn’t formed the five-member commission that will decide on payout criteria, so there has been no money paid out yet or claims accepted.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
-
And a few weeks after that, the insurer went even further, changing its coverage policy to include deep brain stimulation for some children and teens who meet clinical criteria.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Both policies tied school funding to standardized test performance, meaning that schools that failed to meet testing benchmarks were recommended for closure and charter conversion.—
Julia McWilliams,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
-
Without clear benchmarks, brands waste money on campaigns that might feel successful but don’t move the needle.—
Wyles Daniel
June 4,
Idaho Statesman,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Touchstones.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touchstones. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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