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
But some also argue that the tensions in today’s Democratic Party no longer center on the kinds of ideological clashes that characterized the 2020 primary race — left versus moderate and litmus tests on issues like single-payer health care.
—
Reid J. Epstein, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2025
Scientific institutions should therefore avoid actions that could be interpreted as political litmus tests.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025
This weekend’s public debut of twin six-month-old cubs at Ocean Park will serve as a litmus test, with hopes the bears will spark a viral moment similar to Moo Deng, the pygmy hippo in Thailand who took social media by storm last year and saw a flood of tourists visit her zoo.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Asia, 14 Feb. 2025
Still, what many feel will be the litmus test for Chinese sensibilities toward U.S. movies won’t be seen until the end of the year when Zootopia 2 starts scurrying around (another movie that’s not yet dated in China).
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for litmus test
Reid J. Epstein, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2025
Scientific institutions should therefore avoid actions that could be interpreted as political litmus tests.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025
This weekend’s public debut of twin six-month-old cubs at Ocean Park will serve as a litmus test, with hopes the bears will spark a viral moment similar to Moo Deng, the pygmy hippo in Thailand who took social media by storm last year and saw a flood of tourists visit her zoo.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Asia, 14 Feb. 2025
Still, what many feel will be the litmus test for Chinese sensibilities toward U.S. movies won’t be seen until the end of the year when Zootopia 2 starts scurrying around (another movie that’s not yet dated in China).
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 13 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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Jake Rakov, the 37-year-old who launched a primary challenge on Wednesday against his former boss, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), credited Booker, the No. 4 Senate Democrat, with motivating younger members of the party.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The gauntlet begins with Monday’s road game in Dallas, where the Wild rallied late for a 3-2 overtime win on Dec. 27, in their first trip to the Lone Star State this season.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
23 Mar. 2025
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And Mark has to make it through a physical and emotional gauntlet, first in pitched battle with the superhuman bulk of Drummond, then in a quieter moment with Gemma.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
21 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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But Thompson said these four trials paint an incomplete picture.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Litmus test.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/litmus%20test. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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