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
Madigan's trial was a litmus test for how politics is done in Illinois.
—
Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 12 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 12 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Recent Examples of Synonyms for litmus test
Noun
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Avery Lotz 2 hours ago - Politics & Policy Supreme Court will hear challenge to Colorado conversion therapy ban The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a challenge to Colorado's law banning conversion therapy aimed at young people.—
Ina Fried,
Axios,
10 Mar. 2025
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Underlying the personal feud is Musk’s legal challenge to OpenAI, which threatens to slow the company’s efforts at a time when the race for the lead in the AI space is heating up.—
Wendy Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
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An impressive stint on the gauntlet drill at the Combine, however, could have given him a slight bump.—
C. Isaiah Smalls II,
Miami Herald,
3 Mar. 2025
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Some veteran players hold faster to the hierarchy and make prospects and younger players run the gauntlet, but Mayer said that hasn’t been the case in the Red Sox clubhouse.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
19 Feb. 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 senator noted that the mystery surrounding Epstein's unexpected death prior to his 2019 trial feeds into the public's curiosity and skepticism.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
Fox News,
27 Feb. 2025
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Reyes was arrested in December 2020 and has been in custody at the Cook County jail since 2021, awaiting trial on other murder and attempted murder charges for the killing of a sixth person, a 26-year-old man in June 2020, officials said.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN,
27 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to litmus test
Cite this Entry
“Litmus test.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litmus%20test. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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