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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Recent Examples of litmus test
The partnership goes beyond the AI chip leader’s conventional Western collaborations and may serve as a litmus test for future U.S. export policies with nations that keep close ties with both Washington and China.
—
Chris Eudaily,kristina Partsinevelos, CNBC, 14 May 2025
Multiple states are gearing up for competitive gubernatorial elections in 2026, which will offer a litmus test on voter sentiment.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 6 May 2025
American leaders had framed participation in the Revolution as a litmus test of masculinity, patriotism, and commitment to liberty among American men.
—Time, 5 May 2025
Travis Hunter test If the Patriots truly take a best-player-available approach to the draft, the No. 4 pick could offer an immediate litmus test.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Chris Eudaily,kristina Partsinevelos, CNBC, 14 May 2025
Multiple states are gearing up for competitive gubernatorial elections in 2026, which will offer a litmus test on voter sentiment.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 6 May 2025
American leaders had framed participation in the Revolution as a litmus test of masculinity, patriotism, and commitment to liberty among American men.
—Time, 5 May 2025
Travis Hunter test If the Patriots truly take a best-player-available approach to the draft, the No. 4 pick could offer an immediate litmus test.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Recent Examples of Synonyms for litmus test
Noun
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For Survivor 50, viewers have been voting on how certain aspects of the game will play out, including twists, tribe colors, tribe swaps, immunity necklaces, supplies, the final four challenge, whether castaways should be given rice to eat, whether the fire-making should be axed and more.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
People.com,
2 June 2025
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This would enable Israel, though belatedly, to join Trump's vision of a New Middle East, including normalization with Saudi Arabia, regional deployment to tackle the Iranian challenge, and participation in the trade corridor project from India through the Gulf to Europe.—
Ehud Barak,
Time,
2 June 2025
Noun
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With a group of experts looking for every possible weakness, having your grant reviewed is a bit like running a gauntlet.—
Kelly S. Mix,
The Conversation,
22 May 2025
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Others were less talented but beat a gauntlet of tough opponents.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Noun
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This is the real acid test for these insurance companies.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 May 2025
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Liverpool passed acid tests in Milan and Manchester, and are perfect from six Champions League games, only conceding once.—
Liam Tharme,
The Athletic,
31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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And, of course, this is the first major litmus tense of the young and divisive Donald Trump presidency.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2025
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Her litmus to make sure these moments were successful?—
William Earl,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Her late father was a defense attorney for the defensed in former NFL player O.J. Simpson's murder trial.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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Ventura previously testified that Combs explicitly threatened to destroy Mescudi's car during her testimony at the trial last week, multiple outlets reported.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Litmus test.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litmus%20test. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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