touchstone

as in criterion
something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared his book has long been a touchstone for travel writing that aspires to be literature

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun touchstone contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of touchstone are criterion, gauge, standard, and yardstick. While all these words mean "a means of determining what a thing should be," touchstone suggests a simple test of the authenticity or value of something intangible.

fine service is one touchstone of a first-class restaurant

When could criterion be used to replace touchstone?

The words criterion and touchstone can be used in similar contexts, but criterion may apply to anything used as a test of quality whether formulated as a rule or principle or not.

questioned the critic's criteria for excellence

Where would gauge be a reasonable alternative to touchstone?

Although the words gauge and touchstone have much in common, gauge applies to a means of testing a particular dimension (such as thickness, depth, diameter) or figuratively a particular quality or aspect.

polls as a gauge of voter dissatisfaction

When can standard be used instead of touchstone?

While the synonyms standard and touchstone are close in meaning, standard applies to any definite rule, principle, or measure established by authority.

standards of behavior

How do yardstick and criterion relate to one another, in the sense of touchstone?

Yardstick is an informal substitute for criterion that suggests quantity more often than quality.

housing construction as a yardstick of economic growth

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of touchstone The price of eggs—a key inflationary touchstone for many Americans—soared 15.2 percent between December and January. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025 The estate, at the edge of Chico State’s campus, served as a cultural touchstone and educational space for generations of Chico residents, but not without controversy. Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 9 Mar. 2025 Trump has made the traditional nuclear family a touchstone of domestic policy. Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025 Agreed unanimously by countries on both sides of the Iron Curtain, the Helsinki Final Act, also signed by the U.S. and Canada, became a touchstone for the West’s commitment to democratic principles, human rights, and fundamental freedoms. Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for touchstone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touchstone
Noun
  • Titled Protecting Europe's Essential Societal Functions, the strategy calls for minimum preparedness criteria to be implemented among essential services such as hospitals, schools, transport and telecommunications.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The group assigned to identify a new home, known as the Sundance Film Festival Location Task Force and was made up of both Sundance staff members and board members, narrowed that list down to 67 cities that met its initial criteria and submitted an RFI.
    Brian Welk, IndieWire, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Hegseth also claimed that standards have previously been lowered for women in the military.
    Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Lowering the standards for police, firefighters and paramedics because the exams are too hard?
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Rodriguez cautioned against readers using income benchmarks to determine their self-worth or level of success.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Roadhouse and Longhorn both rank at the top of the American Customer Satisfaction Index, a benchmark of consumers’ opinions about restaurants and fast-food chains.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Touchstone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touchstone. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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