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

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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

Examples 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 Value bet Domino’s fits into Berkshire’s value investment philosophy, focused on cash flow and price-to-earnings and price-to-book-value yardsticks. —

Yun Li, CNBC, 24 Nov. 2024 These are yardstick games because the Rams and Chargers can size up their chances against top-shelf competition — and because losing would feel to them like a ruler rapping across the knuckles. —

Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024 With this yardstick, Democrats and Republicans will have additional incentives to embrace climate pragmatism and work together on climate issues. —

Nives Dolsak and Aseem Prakash, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 The Commerce Department will release the October look at its personal consumption expenditures price index, the Fed’s primary yardstick to measure the pace of price increases. —

Jeff Cox, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for yardstick

Recent Examples of Synonyms for yardstick

Noun

And so, semaglutide does not meet this criterion at its current price.

Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
The process involves reviewing patients’ cases against relevant criteria every handful of days or so to assess if the company will continue paying for treatment, requiring providers and patients to repeatedly defend the need for ongoing care.

Maya Miller, ProPublica, 31 Dec. 2024