as in leaders
one that takes the lead or sets an example the state has a long history of being an early and reliable bellwether in presidential elections
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 bellwethers Gin noted the biggest job gains were in health care, not in sectors that are seen as bellwethers of economic growth. —
Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026 The Producers Guild, which uses a preferential ballot like the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences does, is among the most predictive of bellwethers. —ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026 The rise in crude oil prices has fueled a sharp runup in energy stocks, but a few bellwethers are showing signs of upside exhaustion that warrant patience for investors looking to take advantage of their bullish longer-term technical setups. —Katie Stockton, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2026 Four races in particular will serve as bellwethers in the power struggle. —Bayliss Wagner, Houston Chronicle, 12 Feb. 2026 Offensive expectations were low, but both players have seen their defensive bellwethers head in the wrong direction. —Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026 The Los Angeles trial is among a handful of bellwethers meant to clarify the uncharted legal terrain. —Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026 Whether 2025's Democratic Party victories are bellwethers or blips will play out this year. —Tim Webber, Des Moines Register, 12 Jan. 2026 Those fights proved to be high-water marks, not bellwethers, and index funds’ retreat from ESG appears to have sapped their fighting spirit in other areas. —Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 16 Dec. 2025
Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026 The Producers Guild, which uses a preferential ballot like the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences does, is among the most predictive of bellwethers. —ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026 The rise in crude oil prices has fueled a sharp runup in energy stocks, but a few bellwethers are showing signs of upside exhaustion that warrant patience for investors looking to take advantage of their bullish longer-term technical setups. —Katie Stockton, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2026 Four races in particular will serve as bellwethers in the power struggle. —Bayliss Wagner, Houston Chronicle, 12 Feb. 2026 Offensive expectations were low, but both players have seen their defensive bellwethers head in the wrong direction. —Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026 The Los Angeles trial is among a handful of bellwethers meant to clarify the uncharted legal terrain. —Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026 Whether 2025's Democratic Party victories are bellwethers or blips will play out this year. —Tim Webber, Des Moines Register, 12 Jan. 2026 Those fights proved to be high-water marks, not bellwethers, and index funds’ retreat from ESG appears to have sapped their fighting spirit in other areas. —Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 16 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bellwethers
Noun
-
Spain recently hosted a summit of global leaders from the left and center left.— Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026
-
Such procedures are often left open for 24 hours, and the Cypriot presidency said that final approval could come on Thursday, when EU leaders are gathering for a summit in Cyprus.— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Commissioners McSlavkin and Ella Cross both questioned a historical mural in the tunnel, which includes controversial pioneers John Sutter and Peter Burnett, during the meeting.— Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2026
-
The musician was born in Los Angeles and was a third-generation creative; his grandparents Boris and Bessie Thomashefsky were pioneers of Yiddish theater, while his dad Ted Thomas was a producer at the Mercury Theater Company in New York.— Rachel DeSantis, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bellwethers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/bellwethers. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
