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
In the co-main event, the fast-rising Kyler Phillips faces veteran Rob Font in a bit of a litmus test for the former.
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Brian Mazique, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
The Bulldogs, however, will be a truer championship litmus test.
—Andrew Greif, NBC News, 13 Oct. 2024
The actors playing these roles, including Sebastian Stan, as Trump, and Jeremy Strong, as Cohn, form something of a litmus test for styles of performance—and for the power (or failure) of visual compositions to showcase them.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024
Advertisement One Harris advisor, who has known the vice president for years, described the 2020 Democratic primary as a series of ideological litmus tests and a competition to see how many of the liberal boxes the large field of jostling candidates could check.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for litmus test 
Brian Mazique, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
The Bulldogs, however, will be a truer championship litmus test.
—Andrew Greif, NBC News, 13 Oct. 2024
The actors playing these roles, including Sebastian Stan, as Trump, and Jeremy Strong, as Cohn, form something of a litmus test for styles of performance—and for the power (or failure) of visual compositions to showcase them.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024
Advertisement One Harris advisor, who has known the vice president for years, described the 2020 Democratic primary as a series of ideological litmus tests and a competition to see how many of the liberal boxes the large field of jostling candidates could check.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for litmus test
Recent Examples of Synonyms for litmus test
Noun
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The company continues to face liquidity challenges and relies on external financing to fund its operations.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
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The 2-1 decision from the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday comes as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear a challenge to a similar law in Tennessee, which may ultimately determine whether all such state laws around the country can be enforced.Reuters, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Noun
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In western Canada, the Woolies Pro Tech Crew top and bottom survived a gauntlet of winter smokejumper firefighter training sessions with little fuss—or stink.Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024
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The singer’s pastel set, which came with matching gauntlets and cowboy boots, channeled vintage pin-up models.Hannah Malach, WWD, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
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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
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The acid test is the twofold stake Washington has long articulated: that Afghanistan does not become a base for terrorism against the West, or a haven for destabilizing its neighbors.Stephen Biddle, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2011
Noun
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Alpert maintains that his litmus for music has remained the same throughout the decades.Gary Graff, Billboard, 26 Sep. 2024
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Looking into next year, Fallout will be an early litmus.Will Bedingfield, WIRED, 28 Dec. 2023
Noun
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The two men, whose trial is scheduled to start Monday, are accused of being part of a sophisticated human smuggling operation feeding a fast-growing population of Indians living illegally in the U.S. Both have pleaded not guilty.Ryan J. Foley, Twin Cities, 16 Nov. 2024
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Of the other six, one became a federal informant, while five others either pleaded guilty to murder or were convicted at trial.Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 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 22 Nov. 2024.
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