as in criterion
something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared this essay will be the yardstick by which I grade the others

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun yardstick contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of yardstick are criterion, gauge, standard, and touchstone. While all these words mean "a means of determining what a thing should be," yardstick is an informal substitute for criterion that suggests quantity more often than quality.

housing construction as a yardstick of economic growth

When is criterion a more appropriate choice than yardstick?

The meanings of criterion and yardstick largely overlap; however, 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

When might gauge be a better fit than yardstick?

The words gauge and yardstick are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 would standard be a good substitute for yardstick?

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

standards of behavior

When could touchstone be used to replace yardstick?

While in some cases nearly identical to yardstick, touchstone suggests a simple test of the authenticity or value of something intangible.

fine service is one touchstone of a first-class restaurant

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 yardstick The cost per gig really is an excellent yardstick to use, assuming most else is equal. PC Magazine, 10 July 2025 The easiest signs to see from running the course are large and high in the air – tape it to a broomstick handle or yardstick. Jackie Borchardt, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 That is enough, if enriched further, for nine nuclear weapons, according to an IAEA yardstick. Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 13 June 2025 In media coverage, a common yardstick for determining whether a recession is underway is two consecutive quarters of declining gross domestic product, which refers to the total of all economic activity. Louis Jacobson, Austin American Statesman, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for yardstick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for yardstick
Noun
  • What was the selection criteria?
    Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Bondi, 59, intervened in a number of cases to alter the criteria for granting asylum in her role as the head of the immigration-court system, The Wall Street Journal reported.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Twentty was founded to challenge that standard.
    Maria Williams, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Act 237 of 2023, known as the LEARNS Act, mandated that the Education Department update its requirements for third grade promotion, with the 2025-26 school year being the first in which students must meet that standard.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But surveys have also shown many reservists are unhappy with the cabinet's plans, some openly accusing the government of lacking a cohesive strategy, a post-war plan for Gaza or a clear benchmark for victory.
    Emily Rose, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
  • OpenAI also says there is a 45 percent to 65 percent reduction in factual errors over GPT-4, depending on the setting, as well as substantial gains in handling medical and coding tasks on industry-standard benchmarks.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In its previous meeting, the BOK had also held rates, citing a need to assess the impact of recent measures aimed at cooling Seoul’s housing market.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2025
  • The judge ordered Utah state lawmakers to revise the congressional map within 30 days using guidelines approved by voters in the 2018 ballot measure.
    David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Yardstick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yardstick. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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