acid test

noun

Synonyms of acid testnext
: a severe or crucial test

Examples of acid test in a Sentence

The new team faced its first acid test when it played the national champions.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The azaleas will be the acid test. — Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Oct. 2025 Self-translation is the acid test for one’s writing. — Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026 Additional sugar and acid tests are planned to confirm whether the liquid contains apple-specific compounds, like malic acid. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026 This was a place and time in history of tremendous creativity that grew out of the acid test parties, the beatnik poets, and the Summer Of Love. — Brian Halligan, Fortune, 25 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for acid test

Word History

Etymology

so called from the use of nitric acid to determine the gold content of jewelry

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of acid test was in 1854

Rhymes for acid test

See All Rhymes for acid test

Browse Nearby Words

acid sodium carbonate
acid test
acidulant
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Acid test.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acid%20test. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on acid test

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for acid test

Nglish: Translation of acid test for Spanish Speakers

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