Synonyms of bellwether

bellwether

noun

ˈbel-ˈwe-t͟hər 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• leader
• pioneer
• trendsetter
• pacesetter
• pacemaker
• harbinger
• pacer
• forerunner
• innovator
• precursor
• herald
• groundbreaker
• foregoer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• follower
• imitator
• Johnny-come-lately
• me-tooer

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of bellwether

Pharma leadership is being reinforced by IHE's push to new highs and a fresh weekly MACD crossover, and JNJ is showing the types of intermediate-term signals that can precede rotation into other large-cap bellwethers. — Katie Stockton, CNBC, 8 June 2026

Even as the convention’s membership shrinks, the annual meeting serves as a bellwether for religious and political trends among evangelicals. — Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2026

The mother is the nation’s caregiver, its primary consumer, its most reliable economic bellwether. — Allison Stern, Fortune, 3 June 2026

One bellwether for independent-minded progressives, South Side Ald. — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026