as in leader
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

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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 bellwether In recent years, the TIFF audience award had lost some of its predictive power — Mike Flanagan’s The Life of Chuck, last year’s winner, fizzled on the campaign trail — but Zhao’s victory suggests the prize could once again be a bellwether for the season ahead. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2025 One of the most striking bellwethers of how education is evolving is MITx’s MicroMasters in Supply Chain Management. Joseph Coughlin, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025 Germany’s chancellor won a convincing election in his home state, while the anti-immigration AfD party tripled its vote share in what is seen as a bellwether region. Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2025 At Toronto specifically, audience tears can be particularly valuable, since TIFF’s biggest Oscar bellwether is its People’s Choice Award. Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bellwether
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bellwether
Noun
  • After being repeatedly condemned as a war criminal by other world leaders during the United Nations General Assembly's current meeting in New York, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will have his turn speaking on the world stage on Friday.
    ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2025
  • CEOs and global leaders will gather for a dynamic, invitation-only event shaping the future of business.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • France and Nordic countries, pioneers in subsidized childcare and paid parental leave, maintain relatively higher fertility than peers.
    Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
  • French smart telescope pioneer Vaonis helps quench my thirst with a special edition of its flagship that puts the inner workings on view.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Sep. 2025

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“Bellwether.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bellwether. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.

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