as in criterion
something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared
a legendary Broadway flop that has subsequently become the barometer by which failure in the theater is judged
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Recent Examples of barometer
At the time of writing, CME’s FedWatch barometer prices a 97% chance of a hold at the meeting in a fortnight’s time.
—
Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 Mar. 2026
The barometer for Adelman’s confidence in the second unit is all about whether Jamal Murray occupies those rest minutes or whether Denver is playing well enough to kill time without both star players.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 2 Mar. 2026
Besides, the issue is further complicated by the fact that there are so many barometers of greatness.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
Look at all economic barometers, social gains, and life span increases.
—Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for barometer
Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 Mar. 2026
The barometer for Adelman’s confidence in the second unit is all about whether Jamal Murray occupies those rest minutes or whether Denver is playing well enough to kill time without both star players.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 2 Mar. 2026
Besides, the issue is further complicated by the fact that there are so many barometers of greatness.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
Look at all economic barometers, social gains, and life span increases.
—Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for barometer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barometer
Noun
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The White House officials said federal agencies can incorporate best practices on housing regulations as a criteria for rewarding discretionary grants to state and local governments.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
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The criteria for gubernatorial candidates to participate considered opinion polling and campaign fund raising.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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One wonders, though, if the rules--the standards, the best practices--were followed when the Tomahawk was launched.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
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Over the ensuing 10 months, the Vatican undertook extensive renovations to the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace, which hadn’t been used during Francis’ 12-year papacy and was in dire need of an update to bring its electric, plumbing and other utilities up to standard.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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There is about a 50% chance that Palm Springs will hit 110 degrees on Thursday or Friday, a benchmark normally reached in June, said Steward.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
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Race against human limits Recent developments highlight how close robots are getting to elite athletic benchmarks.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Deputies began life-saving measures and she was taken to a nearby hospital in an ambulance.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
15 Mar. 2026
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The crowd reduction measures the city had touted in weeks prior were in full effect Saturday — restrictions on parking, heavy police presence and checkpoints.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Barometer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barometer. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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