litmus test

noun

Definition of litmus testnext
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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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 litmus test The speech is also a kind of litmus test for translators and adaptors, an opportunity for a politically progressive character to let rip not simply against general human hypocrisy but against the particular sins of a moment. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Recent Examples of Synonyms for litmus test
  1. challenge
  2. gauntlet
  3. acid test
  4. trial
  5. litmus
Noun
  • As Rose begins his fight against leukemia, his family is facing the emotional and financial challenges of medical treatments and ongoing healthcare expenses.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Other candidates have tied water to voters' broader cost-of-living challenges.
    — Hannah Knowles The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of challenge
Noun
  • That kind of negotiation is now part of the gauntlet independent retailers face when buying for their boutiques.
    — Jessica Binns, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Intel's Core Ultra 5 Series 3 chip saw the Acer Googlebook 14 through two first-place showings among the four Googlebooks tested, in WebXPRT’s browser gauntlet and PCMark for Android's productivity suite.
    — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of gauntlet
Noun
  • Self-translation is the acid test for one’s writing.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
  • But the way Arsenal are performing, a very tight victory seems the most likely outcome before the acid test away to Manchester City next weekend.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Definition of acid test
Noun
  • During the trial, Solberg's father, Bobby Solberg, delivered an emotional victim impact statement criticizing Pollis for putting the families through the lengthy proceedings.
    — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • During the weekslong trial, prosecutors painted Murdaugh as a fraudster who killed his wife and son as a desperate attempt to distract from investigations into his vast financial crimes.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 16 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
litmus tests
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Cite this Entry

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

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