test case

NOUN

representative occurrence

Synonyms

STRONGEST

precedent

WEAK

acid test crucial test experiment first case first occurrence

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Her trial was a test case in multi-district litigation against major social media companies.

From Salon • Apr. 16, 2026

Carvajal-Muñoz, of course, did not set out to be the test case for this theory.

From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026

This will be the first major test case of how well AI can improve productivity at this relatively early stage.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

At the same time, Lively has framed the dispute as a test case for California’s relatively new law protecting people who speak publicly about sexual misconduct.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

The perfect test case, the perfect way to set precedent—not with someone who was malicious, not with a societal outlier.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel