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 President Donald Trump‘s appearance in Youngstown, Ohio, on Monday underlines the Mahoning Valley as a bellwether of whether Democrats can win back the white, working-class voters that have rapidly shifted away from the party in recent years. — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026 They’re called bellwether races for their unique characteristics that reflect the national political environment. — Amber Phillips, Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2026 Some states have banned this kind of pricing in specific circumstances, others are considering bans, but the outcome of the McDonald’s lawsuit could be a bellwether for how effective those bans will actually be in protecting consumers. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026 Kansas is likely to be a bellwether track for the balance of the Chase. — Reid Spencer, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bellwether

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bellwether

Noun

The attack ads that exaggerate and lie about their opponents, without mentioning their myopic support for their dear leader whose baggage has destroyed America’s standing in the world, are astounding.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 28 Oct. 2026
As economic worries grow, Newsom’s popularity dips Governor Newsom’s favorability ratings have dipped in the last months of his eight-year tenure as state leader.

— Andrew Graham October 27, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of leader

Noun

Like many of the pioneers who would go on to inspire the genre, Hysterical Love Project are resistant to being boxed in as trip-hop at all.

— Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026
Economists have spent much of 2026 watching to see if the artificial intelligence bubble will burst, much like the boom-and-burn cycle of dot-com pioneer companies in the late 1990s.

— Joel Mathis, TheWeek, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of pioneer

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“Bellwether.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bellwether. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of bellwether

noun

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