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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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 15 Apr. 2025.
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