Thesaurus results for LITMUS TEST

litmus test

noun

Definition of litmus test

as in challenge

something (such as an opinion about a political or moral issue) that is used to make a judgment about whether someone or something is acceptable The party is using attitudes about gun control as a litmus test for political candidates.

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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 litmus test Support for moratoriums on data center construction has become a litmus test for some voters, progressive and otherwise. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 The fight between El-Sayed, who hails from the left flank of the Democratic Party, and moderate Stevens drew national attention as a kind of litmus test of progressivism in a key battleground state. — Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026 But critics consider this case and its result a litmus test of Hong Kong's civil rights and judicial independence. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026 After coming out flat in a litmus test in Indiana, the Liberty nearly blew a 28-point fourth-quarter lead in a bounce-back game against the retooling Los Angeles Sparks at Barclays Center. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for litmus test

Recent Examples of Synonyms for litmus test

Noun

Across six hour-long episodes, the show follows a variety of urban animals to uncover the challenges of living alongside the human race.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
But securing sufficient training data for industrial models can represent a challenge.

— Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of challenge

Noun

To complete his gauntlet in November, Flora must defeat Matthew Adams — a Democrat who doesn’t have the name recognition or financial backing of the incumbent.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026
Ohio State and Alabama need wins to maintain momentum ahead of a tougher gantlet, while Mississippi State and Iowa look to prove hot starts are no fluke.

— Matt Piper, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of gauntlet

Noun

When the trial ended, the country gladly went back to DST in the summers.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
After a 2021 trial, Silver ruled against the state, issuing an injunction that required corrections authorities to address the constitutional violations.

— Jacques Billeaud, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of trial

Noun

But if President Xi does make a move, whether by mounting a full-scale attack or using his military to blockade the island, the key question will be where such actions fall on the litmus scale.

— Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Sep. 2025
One of the best was the part about enjoying the season and not making playoff success your litmus for hockey fandom happiness.

— Murat Ates, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024

Definition of litmus

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litmus test

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“Litmus test.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litmus%20test. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of litmus test

noun

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