Criterion and Plumb line

Criterion noun - Something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared.

Plumb line and criterion are semantically related. In some cases you can replace phrase "Plumb line" with "Criterion", this terms are similar.

Plumb line noun - A cord from which a metal weight is suspended pointing directly to the earth's center of gravity; used to determine the vertical from a given point.

Criterion and plumb line are semantically related. You can use "Criterion" instead a noun phrase "Plumb line".