Definition of criterionnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun criterion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of criterion are gauge, standard, touchstone, and yardstick. While all these words mean "a means of determining what a thing should be," 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 is gauge a more appropriate choice than criterion?

While in some cases nearly identical to criterion, 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 could standard be used to replace criterion?

Although the words standard and criterion have much in common, standard applies to any definite rule, principle, or measure established by authority.

standards of behavior

When is it sensible to use touchstone instead of criterion?

The meanings of touchstone and criterion largely overlap; however, touchstone suggests a simple test of the authenticity or value of something intangible.

fine service is one touchstone of a first-class restaurant

How do yardstick and criterion relate to one another?

Yardstick is an informal substitute for criterion that suggests quantity more often than quality.

housing construction as a yardstick of economic growth

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 criterion The latest diagnostic criteria were established in 2003, when a group of 27 experts met in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and reached a consensus on the characteristics necessary to indicate the condition. Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 1 Apr. 2026 As for the qualified association, critics note that only one organization in the state — the Missouri Association of Christian Child Care Agencies — meets the criteria of being in operation for at least 20 years. Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026 In fact, his head coach, JJ Redick, believes that Luka is fully deserving of the award based on specific criteria. Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026 The criterion of self-consciousness, meanwhile, is of no use for the practical task of distinguishing between human and nonhuman digital activity. Andrey Mir, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for criterion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criterion
Noun
  • Lemon said that might no longer be a dealbreaker for some candidates, but feels that as a Black man, he’d be held to a different standard.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Those navigating family negotiations can set kind standards that allow trust to grow naturally over time.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The interface of the desktop website version includes key mission milestones and characteristics about the moon, including information about landing sites during the Apollo era.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Hegseth exhibits those characteristics, and our soldiers finally have someone to follow.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Spot prices reflect real-time market trading and serve as a benchmark for futures contracts, ETFs and retail bullion pricing.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
  • That’s more than double the number of people in Mecklenburg County government who hit that salary benchmark.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Trying to reach for that classic creature feature, Cinemascope, old Hollywood vibe.
    Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Trump’s image will be a feature of the exterior of the building, with jumbo video screens showing his face in the footage.
    Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Members of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) hailed the legislation as a measure to ensure institutional stability.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
  • As the MorphoScan measures and calculates, a voice will pipe up offering guidance and progress reports.
    Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • A little more than a week into the season, the Padres have two quality starts out of their rotation.
    Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
  • The MorphoScan is even missing a couple of quality-of-life features present on the Etekcity scale, including a safe mode for pregnant women and pacemaker users that disables the BIA electrical current for weight-only measurements.
    Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Iran’s military said Saturday that Iraq would be exempt from shipping restrictions in the trait, opening the potential of as much as 3 million barrels a day of Iraqi oil cargoes.
    Arsalan Shahla, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The cooperative birth behavior may reflect ancient evolutionary traits in toothed whales — and evidence of complex social cooperation beyond primates.
    Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Boasting the complete libraries of MCU and Star Wars are undoubted attributes, but continually giving viewers new episodes of both in the same small stretch of time is an undeniable flex.
    Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
  • For nearly every sport, there are innate attributes that can give an athlete an edge.
    Namir Khaliq, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Criterion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criterion. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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