CRITERION Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

criterion

noun

krī-ˈtir-ē-ən

Definition of criterion next

as in standard

something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared one criterion for grading these essays will be their conformity to the rules of traditional grammar

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in characteristic

something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind an exceptionally high degree of physical risk is the preeminent criterion of an extreme sport

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Examples 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 technique requires developers to provide a dataset and evaluation criteria, with OpenAI's platform managing the reinforcement learning process. —

Ars Technica, 20 Dec. 2024 Nearly every one fulfills Bennett’s basic criteria for an ideal holiday track (some better than others), but only one has the commercial appeal and ear worm potential to compete against the queen herself. 50. —

Maura Johnston, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024 For example, the Academy’s admission process broadens opportunities for minorities by expanding the candidate pool early on, inviting more qualified candidates to advance while maintaining rigorous, race-neutral criteria for the final selection. —

Corinne Post, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024 The rule, which was later struck down in court, broadened the criteria for a joint employer relationship in a way that would have made companies potentially liable for the hiring practices of subcontractors. —

Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for criterion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for criterion

Noun

Musical compositions The latest crop of compositions spans the era's jazz standards, show tunes, pop music and more.

Rachel Treisman, NPR, 26 Dec. 2024
Stewart wasn’t the first to go there; Carly Simon and Linda Ronstadt, to name just two, had cut standards albums before.

David Browne, Rolling Stone, 26 Dec. 2024