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
Other candidates running in the Democratic primary have been more vocal about what is increasingly becoming a litmus test for those seeking the city's highest office.
—
Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Healthcare has long served as the ultimate litmus test for artificial intelligence (AI).
—Amber Nigam, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
The administration should not probe candidates for their views on the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol or otherwise subject them to ideological litmus tests.
—David V. Gioe, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2025
Police surveillance has been a hot-button issue in the Metro Council, and this legislation is considered an important litmus test.
—Nate Rau, Axios, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Healthcare has long served as the ultimate litmus test for artificial intelligence (AI).
—Amber Nigam, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
The administration should not probe candidates for their views on the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol or otherwise subject them to ideological litmus tests.
—David V. Gioe, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2025
Police surveillance has been a hot-button issue in the Metro Council, and this legislation is considered an important litmus test.
—Nate Rau, Axios, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Recent Examples of Synonyms for litmus test
Noun
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The metrics on which companies are required to report are likely to be reduced and simplified, but regulatory compliance still remains a data challenge that requires integrated solutions.—
Sophia Mendelsohn,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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Around 500 buildings have totally collapsed and 800 more are partially destroyed, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), raising challenges for rescue workers toiling among the rubble.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Getting to the playoffs will be a gauntlet for the Heat.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2025
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With Durant out for a number of games and their schedule being a gauntlet, the Suns would need a miracle to capture the last spot in the play-in.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 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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And, of course, this is the first major litmus tense of the young and divisive Donald Trump presidency.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2025
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Her litmus to make sure these moments were successful?—
William Earl,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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His work has sparked state and federal investigations, came up repeatedly in Trump’s fraud trial and helped send longtime Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg to jail.—
Kyle Khan-Mullins,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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At its heart, the trial was about whether college athletes and former college athletes should be paid more than nothing for use of their NIL in video games and other products.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Litmus test.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litmus%20test. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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