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
They also will almost certainly be interpreted as a litmus test of President-elect Trump’s popularity and standing.
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Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 28 Nov. 2024
Think about tonight as a litmus test: The NFL’s best scoring defense trying to stop one of the hottest offenses.
—Andrew Greif, NBC News, 18 Nov. 2024
Certainly that litmus test has never been truer than in past years.
—Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2024
The Hillsborough Commission race between state Rep. Sean Shaw (D) and firefighter Chris Boles (R) will serve as a litmus test for how red the county has become.
—Yacob Reyes, Axios, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for litmus test 
Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 28 Nov. 2024
Think about tonight as a litmus test: The NFL’s best scoring defense trying to stop one of the hottest offenses.
—Andrew Greif, NBC News, 18 Nov. 2024
Certainly that litmus test has never been truer than in past years.
—Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2024
The Hillsborough Commission race between state Rep. Sean Shaw (D) and firefighter Chris Boles (R) will serve as a litmus test for how red the county has become.
—Yacob Reyes, Axios, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for litmus test
Recent Examples of Synonyms for litmus test
Noun
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Campbell’s reasoning that the commercialization of college sports and the denial of NIL opportunities make eligibility rules more legally suspect could invite a range of challenges.Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Dec. 2024
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Meet your new virtual assistant: The AI in your car Q: Talk about the challenges of designing a car that can be sold with an internal combustion engine and an electric battery.Morgan Korn, ABC News, 22 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The Chiefs, though, are in a bit of a difficult position, considering their gauntlet of a schedule coming up with games played on Saturday vs. the Texans and then Wednesday at the Pittsburgh Steelers.Jeff Fedotin, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
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But where Lorelai's main gauntlet as a mother was getting Rory into the right schools and away from the wrong boys, Teefey had to help Gomez navigate the entertainment industry.Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
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That was the acid test that our music was acceptable.David Browne, Rolling Stone, 22 Dec. 2024
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Even though the Dead were more known for acid tests than their athletic prowess, Parish recalls that the Dead and their crew occasionally played baseball in the band’s early days.Alex Scordelis, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2024
Noun
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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
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Alpert maintains that his litmus for music has remained the same throughout the decades.Gary Graff, Billboard, 26 Sep. 2024
Noun
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For example, the development of a new electrical appliance involves establishing realistic timelines that incorporate multiple testing cycles, such as prototype testing and user trials.Wayne Yu, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
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Wagner is prohibited from working at a school during the trial phase.ANGIE ORELLANA HERNANDEZ THE WASHINGTON POST, arkansasonline.com, 23 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Litmus test.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litmus%20test. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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