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 Now, more than a quarter of large corporations are ramping up GLP-1 coverage criteria in 2026 or 2027, according to an analysis from Mercer earlier this year. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026 Once the first phase of distributions is complete, the eligibility criteria will extend to descendants of Russell City residents such as James Knowles and his daughters Aisha and Aiyana. — Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026 Others objected to a military officer’s setting criteria for civilian superiors. — Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2026 One of the most worrisome is the ongoing outbreak in Utah, which apparently has gone on for more than 12 months, the main criterion for loss of elimination. — Noel T. Brewer, STAT, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for criterion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for criterion

Noun

But a team with a high GPA, to me, that shows there is a standard in your program, and everyone is aligned to it.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Construction accidents are common in India, where rapid infrastructure growth often collides with fragile geology, construction lapses, extreme weather and safety standards.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of standard

Noun

The devices capture images of vehicle tags and characteristics, feeding searchable data to police departments.

— Larry Seward, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Flock cameras photographed passing vehicles and used software to record information including license plate numbers, vehicle characteristics, dates, times and locations in searchable databases.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of characteristic

Noun

Atlanta Public Schools improved on this year’s math, social studies and science exams at a rate that outpaced the state’s improvement benchmarks.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Taken together, Ukraine is seeking to field autonomous systems that are cheap, effective, and easy to use, while establishing clear benchmarks to measure their performance.

— David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of benchmark

Noun

Already great features that had been added earlier include the Yacht Club, an observation room with big windows and coffee bar, the perfect place to curl up with a latte and views.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026
Further testing will determine how effectively the UUV can translate those features into operational missions.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of feature

Noun

Soaring temperatures are forcing drastic measures in Europe, where successive heatwaves are straining an economy already under pressure from US tariffs, Chinese competition and higher energy prices because of the Iran war.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
New Jersey and Illinois are among the states that have enacted statewide regulations recently, and Massachusetts is weighing measures.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of measure

Noun

State inspection records show multiple water quality and safety violations at Hialeah's Bucky Dent Water Park, indicating concerns beyond the permitting issues city officials have publicly cited for the facility's closure.

— Abby Dodge, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
In the provincial capital Pontianak, schools suspended in-person classes after air quality deteriorated to unhealthy levels and health officials reported a rise in respiratory illnesses.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of quality

Noun

The 2026 Jeep Cherokee's exterior redesign is the SUV's most noticeable attribute from afar.

— Charles Singh, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026
These attributes can reduce logistical burden, extend mission endurance, and deliver resilient power for maritime and expeditionary operations while maintaining low acoustic and thermal signatures.

— Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of attribute

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criteria

criterion

critic

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Style

“Criterion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criterion. Accessed 16 Aug. 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 on criterion

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

zeugma

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'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

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes