YARDSTICK Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'yardstick' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of yardstick are criterion , gauge , standard , and touchstone . While all these words mean "a means of determining what a thing should be," yardstick is an informal substitute for criterion that suggests quantity more often than quality. // housing construction as a yardstick of economic growth

Q: When is 'criterion' a more appropriate choice than 'yardstick'?

The meanings of criterion and yardstick largely overlap; however, 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

Q: When might 'gauge' be a better fit than 'yardstick'?

The words gauge and yardstick are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Q: When would 'standard' be a good substitute for 'yardstick'?

While the synonyms standard and yardstick are close in meaning, standard applies to any definite rule, principle, or measure established by authority. // standards of behavior

Q: When could 'touchstone' be used to replace 'yardstick'?

While in some cases nearly identical to yardstick , touchstone suggests a simple test of the authenticity or value of something intangible. // fine service is one touchstone of a first-class restaurant

yardstick

noun

ˈyärd-ˌstik

Definition of yardstick next

as in criterion

something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared this essay will be the yardstick by which I grade the others

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun yardstick contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of yardstick are criterion, gauge, standard, and touchstone. While all these words mean "a means of determining what a thing should be," yardstick is an informal substitute for criterion that suggests quantity more often than quality.

housing construction as a yardstick of economic growth

When is criterion a more appropriate choice than yardstick?

The meanings of criterion and yardstick largely overlap; however, 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

When might gauge be a better fit than yardstick?

The words gauge and yardstick are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 would standard be a good substitute for yardstick?

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

standards of behavior

When could touchstone be used to replace yardstick?

While in some cases nearly identical to yardstick, touchstone suggests a simple test of the authenticity or value of something intangible.

fine service is one touchstone of a first-class restaurant

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 yardstick That Norwich link is not an especially fair yardstick for his current stock in West Yorkshire. —

Beren Cross, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025 An new 800-volt architecture (which is fast becoming a yardstick in EVs), should increase range by more than a third compared to the current model. —

Jeremy White, WIRED, 1 Jan. 2025 That still leaves a raft of companies that the market hasn’t given adequate credit to, despite this year’s rally, according to several yardsticks. —

Pia Singh, CNBC, 30 Nov. 2024 Using employment impact as a yardstick, trade-in subsidies may soon target technology and even the restaurant and food service industries, which have already been the targets of some local voucher programs. —

Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for yardstick

Recent Examples of Synonyms for yardstick

Noun

Florida International University naming Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez as interim president on Friday reflects the evolving criteria for selecting top leaders in Florida’s university system — one that favors political connections as much as academic credentials.

— Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025
Similarly, Google offered a few specific listings from Zillow that met my editor's criteria as well as suggestions such as networking with realtors.

— Ina Fried, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025