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
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Recent Examples of litmus test
Beyond the specifics of each hearing, however, the process overall will be a litmus test for the incoming Trump administration.
—
Niall Stanage, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2025
Madison Square Garden will always be a litmus test for WWE.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
The Gators are one of the SEC's weakest teams, so Sunday's game was a poor litmus test for whether this lineup can work in the NCAA Tournament.
—Blake Toppmeyer, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
Advertisement Britain’s handling of its involvement in the trans-Atlantic slave trade is seen by many observers as a litmus test for the Commonwealth’s adaptation to a modern-day world.
—Charlotte Graham-McLay, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for litmus test 
Niall Stanage, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2025
Madison Square Garden will always be a litmus test for WWE.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
The Gators are one of the SEC's weakest teams, so Sunday's game was a poor litmus test for whether this lineup can work in the NCAA Tournament.
—Blake Toppmeyer, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
Advertisement Britain’s handling of its involvement in the trans-Atlantic slave trade is seen by many observers as a litmus test for the Commonwealth’s adaptation to a modern-day world.
—Charlotte Graham-McLay, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for litmus test
Recent Examples of Synonyms for litmus test
Noun
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Similar challenges explain why the Nashville Zoo doesn't have polar bears or elephants, which are difficult to keep safe and happy in captivity.—
Molly Davis,
The Tennessean,
3 Feb. 2025
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Biomedical research Developing diagnostic tools and countermeasures for the unique health challenges of deep spaceflight.—
Anastasia Stepanova,
Space.com,
2 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Golden State sits as the 11th seed in the gauntlet that is the Western Conference.—
Barbara A. Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Jan. 2025
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That said, the conference gauntlet really starts here: This is Auburn’s first meeting with any of the SEC’s four top-10 teams.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
The Athletic,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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That was the acid test that our music was acceptable.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
22 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Her litmus to make sure these moments were successful?—
William Earl,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2025
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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
Noun
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The class-action lawsuit has not yet gone to trial.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
3 Feb. 2025
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The company has launched trials of its stimulation device in patients with multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
3 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Litmus test.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litmus%20test. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
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