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
Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs, Week 2 In addition to a Super Bowl 59 rematch, this game will be an early season litmus test for the Chiefs’ offensive line.
—
Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 15 May 2025
Multiple states are gearing up for competitive gubernatorial elections next year, which will offer a litmus test for the parties on voter sentiment.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 6 May 2025
The denial Saturday by the Wisconsin court of appeals is the latest twist in Musk’s deep involvement in the race, which has set a record for spending in a judicial election and has become a litmus test for the opening months of Donald Trump’s presidency.
—Thomas Beaumont, Twin Cities, 31 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 15 May 2025
Multiple states are gearing up for competitive gubernatorial elections next year, which will offer a litmus test for the parties on voter sentiment.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 6 May 2025
The denial Saturday by the Wisconsin court of appeals is the latest twist in Musk’s deep involvement in the race, which has set a record for spending in a judicial election and has become a litmus test for the opening months of Donald Trump’s presidency.
—Thomas Beaumont, Twin Cities, 31 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Recent Examples of Synonyms for litmus test
Noun
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Republican legislators have long accused the Democratic majority of infringing on the Second Amendment right to bear arms through laws such as the 2023 assault weapons ban, which remains under court challenge.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2025
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This suggests that the program may have been particularly beneficial to those facing greater life challenges.—
Paul McClure
June 14,
New Atlas,
14 June 2025
Noun
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Neither team survived the regional and super regional gauntlet to be one of the last eight teams standing.—
Brady Oltmans,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2025
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As the story unfolds, Musashi wants to carve his own path and earn his stripes as a samurai without relying on the soul-absorbing Oni gauntlet strapped to his arm.—
Zackery Cuevas,
PC Magazine,
11 June 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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Though prisoners have escaped while being transported to court for trial, prison breaks are not common in Pakistan.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
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Read’s first trial revealed inappropriate text messages the lead investigator sent as the case was unfolding.—
Julia Bonavita , Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Litmus test.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litmus%20test. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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