BELLWETHER Synonyms: 17 Similar and Opposite Words

bellwether

noun

ˈbel-ˈwe-t͟hər

Definition of bellwether

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 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 See All Example Sentences for bellwether

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bellwether

Noun

About 150 protesters were taken to hospital with injuries following Monday’s violence, according to leaders of the party behind the protests.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
While Wyscout is the industry leader for video scouting tools in football, Eyeball has, since forming in 2020, established itself as the youth football equivalent across the globe.

— Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of leader

Noun

The latest wave of this came this week, when Nvidia announced a $5 billion investment in Safe Superintelligence, the lab founded by AI pioneer Ilya Sutskever.

— Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 29 July 2026
Reyneke Wines is one of the pioneers of organic wines and environmental and ethical wine making in the country.

— Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of pioneer

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“Bellwether.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bellwether. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of bellwether

noun

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