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

\/\/ housing construction as a yardstick<\/em> of economic growth<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'criterion' a more appropriate choice than 'yardstick'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of criterion<\/em><\/a> and yardstick<\/em> largely overlap; however, criterion<\/em> may apply to anything used as a test of quality whether formulated as a rule or principle or not.<\/p>

\/\/ questioned the critic's criteria<\/em> for excellence<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'gauge' be a better fit than 'yardstick'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words gauge<\/em><\/a> and yardstick<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, gauge<\/em> applies to a means of testing a particular dimension (such as thickness, depth, diameter) or figuratively a particular quality or aspect.<\/p>

\/\/ polls as a gauge<\/em> of voter dissatisfaction<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'standard' be a good substitute for 'yardstick'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms standard<\/em><\/a> and yardstick<\/em> are close in meaning, standard<\/em> applies to any definite rule, principle, or measure established by authority.<\/p>

\/\/ standards<\/em> of behavior<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'touchstone' be used to replace 'yardstick'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to yardstick<\/em>, touchstone<\/em><\/a> suggests a simple test of the authenticity or value of something intangible.<\/p>

\/\/ fine service is one touchstone<\/em> of a first-class restaurant<\/p>" } } ] }

yardstick

noun

ˈyärd-ËŒstik How to pronounce yardstick (audio)
Definition of yardsticknext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Cleaning professional Nicole Jaques, founder of The House CEO, says to use a microfiber pad taped to a yardstick or broom handle. —Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 20 Feb. 2026 Slide the be-socked yardstick under the refrigerator and move it back and forth to pick up dust, dirt, and other fine particles. —Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026 Looming over the desk is a giant cross made of yardsticks, those famous instruments of parochial-school torment, formed into a set of crosshairs. —Alex Jovanovich, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026 The gauge is based on short interest, margin debt, sentiment surveys and several other yardsticks used to gauge what investors are thinking and doing. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 17 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for yardstick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for yardstick
  1. criterion
  2. standard
  3. benchmark
  4. measure
Noun
  • Four Democrats running for governor called on their fellow candidates to boycott an upcoming debate at USC, reiterating concerns that the criteria used to determine who was invited to participate resulted in every prominent candidate of color being excluded from the forum.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Last month, the Vatican bank announced two equity benchmarks that conform to ethical Catholic criteria and are aimed at serving as a reference for Catholic investments globally.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of criterion
Noun
  • If, by our standard, that is glaring plagiarism, the obvious retort is that the standard of the early seventeenth century was a very different beast.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
  • The report questioned standards for the treatment of transgender youth issued by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health and raised concerns that adolescents may be too young to give consent to life-changing treatments that could result in future infertility.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of standard
Noun
  • The drone’s imaging system also sets a new benchmark.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil, was last trading near $103 a barrel, up about 3% for the day.
    — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of benchmark
Noun
  • Democrats are asking for better identification for federal law enforcement officers, a new code of conduct for those agencies and more use of judicial warrants, among other measures.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
  • The Senate unanimously approved the measure and the House approved the bill on a 111-1 vote.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of measure

Browse Nearby Words

yard sales
yardstick
yardsticks
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Cite this Entry

“Yardstick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yardstick. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of yardstick for Spanish Speakers

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