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 is a litmus test for how politics is done in Illinois.
—
Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 29 Jan. 2025
What happens to Volkswagen workers here is a litmus test for Germany’s commitment to social values and its ability to retool for a leaner, more innovative future.
—Lenora Chu, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Jan. 2025
Maine Independent Senator Angus King asked whether political litmus tests would influence CIA hiring operations.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Amazon's return-to-office policy is a litmus test for whether in-person work can revive urban life downtown, which has been slower to rebound from the pandemic's economic blow than many other city centers.
—Christine Clarridge, Axios, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for litmus test 
Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 29 Jan. 2025
What happens to Volkswagen workers here is a litmus test for Germany’s commitment to social values and its ability to retool for a leaner, more innovative future.
—Lenora Chu, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Jan. 2025
Maine Independent Senator Angus King asked whether political litmus tests would influence CIA hiring operations.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Amazon's return-to-office policy is a litmus test for whether in-person work can revive urban life downtown, which has been slower to rebound from the pandemic's economic blow than many other city centers.
—Christine Clarridge, Axios, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for litmus test
Recent Examples of Synonyms for litmus test
Noun
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Trump's effort to end birthright citizenship—which is the subject of multiple legal challenges—received 31 percent support, while 54 percent of voters oppose it.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
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Essentially, the founder utilized his extensive background in trucking operations and logistics management to better understand the challenges that businesses face when moving goods.—
William Mullane,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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San Ramon Valley survived the gauntlet and is 22-3, a perfect 9-0 in league play and is expected to be a lock to play in the North Coast Section’s elite Open Division bracket.—
Nathan Canilao,
The Mercury News,
7 Feb. 2025
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Rewind to September, when Slot threw down the gauntlet to Szobosozlai before the Champions League game away to Milan.—
James Pearce,
The Athletic,
7 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
-
The federal trial against Combs is scheduled to begin May 5.—
Karu F. Daniels,
New York Daily News,
15 Feb. 2025
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Meanwhile, the case regarding the landlord in California was headed to trial.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 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 22 Feb. 2025.
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