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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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 barometer But clearly, Trump’s longtime fixation on the market as a barometer of his presidency hasn’t gone away. Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025 The company, often seen as a barometer for consumer health in the U.S., could also give commentary on the state of the U.S. economy. Melissa Repko, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025 Meanwhile, special elections for a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat and two Florida House seats are seen as political barometers in races where Trump is not on the ballot. The Hill Staff, The Hill, 2 Apr. 2025 By contrast, the economists added, barometers of market sentiment like stock performance and consumer surveys offer an up-to-date snapshot of how participants are feeling and, in turn, where the economy may be headed. Max Zahn, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for barometer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barometer
Noun
  • Its investigators followed a process to determine whether complaints from the public met legal criteria for a civil rights claim, then carried out investigations methodically.
    Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 2 May 2025
  • Every 15 days new talents are added based on 11-point criteria that is also used to help participants improve in certain areas too.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Not only do these five options live up to our (very) high standards, but they have been tested over time, throughout all seasons and weather, and in different parts of the country (including rainy Seattle, WA).
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 May 2025
  • Trade enforcement experts are warning international shipping will experience massive delays as both customs brokers and U.S. customs officials transition to the more rigorous vetting standards.
    Emily Feng, NPR, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • But looking at the right benchmarks shows that post-neoliberal economic policy—evident to a large degree in the actions of the Biden administration—righted the ship and kept the country afloat and sailing at a reasonable clip.
    Jennifer M. Harris, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The benchmark is about 16 percent below its closing high in mid-February, as rounds of selling have pulled the index closer to a bear market, a Wall Street term for when a stock index falls 20 percent from its last peak.
    Danielle Kaye, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The university saw a string of suicides around 2010, and one victim’s father sued Cornell for negligence by not implementing appropriate suicide prevention measures related to the numerous bridges in the Ithaca, New York, area.
    Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
  • The email includes urgent measures recipients must take.
    Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 2 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Barometer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barometer. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

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