litmus test

noun

Synonyms of litmus test next

: a test in which a single factor (such as an attitude, event, or fact) is decisive

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Litmus Test Has Scientific Origins

It was in the 14th century that scientists discovered that litmus, a mixture of colored organic compounds obtained from lichen, turns red in acid solutions and blue in alkaline solutions and, thus, can be used as an acid-base indicator. Six centuries later, people began using litmus test figuratively. It can now refer to any single factor that establishes the true character of something or causes it to be assigned to one category or another. Often it refers to something (such as an opinion about a political or moral issue) that can be used to make a judgment about whether someone or something is acceptable or not.

Examples of litmus test in a Sentence

The party is using attitudes about gun control as a litmus test for political candidates.

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Schwab prevailed against former Johnson County Commissioner Mike Brown in a 2022 primary contest that served as a litmus test for whether Kansas voters believed the state’s election infrastructure was secure. —

Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2025 His campaign established the modern role of the Iowa caucuses as a litmus test for the nation. —

Andrea Michelson, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Dec. 2024 Votes received: 3 38 Philippe Dufour Simplicity Photo : Phillips Much as a simple 12-bar blues song or a loaf of French bread showcases the talents of a musician or a baker, the simple time-only watch stands as a kind of litmus test for watchmakers. —

Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2024 This moment will serve as a litmus test for the next four years. —

Doug Melville, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for litmus test