CRITERION Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of criterion are gauge , standard , touchstone , and yardstick . While all these words mean "a means of determining what a thing should be," 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 is 'gauge' a more appropriate choice than 'criterion'?

While in some cases nearly identical to criterion , 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 could 'standard' be used to replace 'criterion'?

Although the words standard and criterion have much in common, standard applies to any definite rule, principle, or measure established by authority. // standards of behavior

Q: When is it sensible to use 'touchstone' instead of 'criterion'?

The meanings of touchstone and criterion largely overlap; however, touchstone suggests a simple test of the authenticity or value of something intangible. // fine service is one touchstone of a first-class restaurant

Q: How do 'yardstick' and 'criterion' relate to one another?

Yardstick is an informal substitute for criterion that suggests quantity more often than quality. // housing construction as a yardstick of economic growth

criterion

noun

krī-ˈtir-ē-ən

Definition of criterion

as in standard

something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared one criterion for grading these essays will be their conformity to the rules of traditional grammar

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in characteristic

something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind an exceptionally high degree of physical risk is the preeminent criterion of an extreme sport

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun criterion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of criterion are gauge, standard, touchstone, and yardstick. While all these words mean "a means of determining what a thing should be," 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 is gauge a more appropriate choice than criterion?

While in some cases nearly identical to criterion, 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 could standard be used to replace criterion?

Although the words standard and criterion have much in common, standard applies to any definite rule, principle, or measure established by authority.

standards of behavior

When is it sensible to use touchstone instead of criterion?

The meanings of touchstone and criterion largely overlap; however, touchstone suggests a simple test of the authenticity or value of something intangible.

fine service is one touchstone of a first-class restaurant

How do yardstick and criterion relate to one another?

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 criterion The criteria being drawn up reward how a garment is made rather than what it’s made from, and the discount needs to be big enough to change what brands actually buy. — Erik Lagerblad, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026 Records, especially for aircraft, are very exacting because of the criteria laid down by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). — David Szondy october 20, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2026 Solomon said that folks should have a frank conversation with their physician about how exactly their case met the diagnostic criteria. — Dylan Scott, Vox, 21 Oct. 2026 Yes, states can choose whether to participate and identify SGOs that meet the federal criteria, but that is where states’ freedom ends. — Denise Forte, Baltimore Sun, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for criterion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for criterion

Noun

Although his roles were ostensibly romantic leads, Astaire had an almost radically unorthodox appeal—one that, in its urbanity, cosmopolitanism, elegance, and grace, challenged the prevailing standards for male movie stardom.

— David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
If students are not meeting basic academic standards, though, state governments sometimes step in and take over the day-to-day operations of entire school districts.

— Daniel H. Robinson, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of standard

Noun

If researchers can reliably take advantage of these characteristics, biological computing could one day be the prime choice in applications where systems need to adapt to unfamiliar conditions in a field far from home.

— Mike McRae October 19, New Atlas, 20 Oct. 2026
The challenge is to broaden a brand’s appeal without diluting the characteristics that distinguish it from competitors.

— Yiling Pan, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of characteristic

Noun

Yet from the golden age of the Bentley Boys to the marque’s current renaissance, the Supersports’ one constant is its role as the Flying B’s internal-combustion benchmark.

— Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2026
Gordon Murray Automotive is an important benchmark in that respect.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of benchmark

Noun

Social media giant Meta was hit with a class action lawsuit in Australia on behalf of children and teenagers who allegedly suffered harm over the addictive design features and exposure to harmful content on its platforms Facebook and Instagram.

— Chad de Guzman, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
While the iPhone Duo’s software certainly felt much smoother and more fluid than Android alternatives, many of its core features have been available on Samsung or Google phones for years.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of feature

Noun

How fast the benefits of a truly life-changing technology flow through the economy is the actual measure of how fast it is being adopted.

— Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Macron previously said ban measures aim to protect city centers, businesses and public buildings.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of measure

Noun

The Rams displayed all those attributes Sunday in a 35-21 victory over the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
According to the settlement website, eligible class members include anyone who received an inaccurate credit score or credit attribute because of an error in Equifax's Online Modeling System (OMS) that occurred between March 17 and April 8, 2022.

— Brian Sloan,Dan Avery, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of attribute

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criteria

criterion

critic

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Criterion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criterion. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of criterion

noun

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Synonyms of criterion

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to criterion

Can ‘criteria’ ever be singular?

Two-Wheeled Words: Bicycle Terms

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

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Why do we 'bury the lede?'

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Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes