as in leaders
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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Recent Examples of bellwethers
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
Gin noted the biggest job gains were in health care, not in sectors that are seen as bellwethers of economic growth.
—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
The Producers Guild, which uses a preferential ballot like the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences does, is among the most predictive of bellwethers.
—
ABC News,
3 Mar. 2026
Four races in particular will serve as bellwethers in the power struggle.
—
Bayliss Wagner,
Houston Chronicle,
12 Feb. 2026
Offensive expectations were low, but both players have seen their defensive bellwethers head in the wrong direction.
—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
7 Feb. 2026
The Los Angeles trial is among a handful of bellwethers meant to clarify the uncharted legal terrain.
—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Whether 2025's Democratic Party victories are bellwethers or blips will play out this year.
—
Tim Webber,
Des Moines Register,
12 Jan. 2026
Those fights proved to be high-water marks, not bellwethers, and index funds’ retreat from ESG appears to have sapped their fighting spirit in other areas.
—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
16 Dec. 2025
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
8 June 2026
Gin noted the biggest job gains were in health care, not in sectors that are seen as bellwethers of economic growth.
—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
The Producers Guild, which uses a preferential ballot like the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences does, is among the most predictive of bellwethers.
—
ABC News,
3 Mar. 2026
Four races in particular will serve as bellwethers in the power struggle.
—
Bayliss Wagner,
Houston Chronicle,
12 Feb. 2026
Offensive expectations were low, but both players have seen their defensive bellwethers head in the wrong direction.
—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
7 Feb. 2026
The Los Angeles trial is among a handful of bellwethers meant to clarify the uncharted legal terrain.
—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Whether 2025's Democratic Party victories are bellwethers or blips will play out this year.
—
Tim Webber,
Des Moines Register,
12 Jan. 2026
Those fights proved to be high-water marks, not bellwethers, and index funds’ retreat from ESG appears to have sapped their fighting spirit in other areas.
—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
16 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bellwethers
Noun
-
London — Democratic leaders must answer to voters, lawmakers and other world leaders.
-
Just over a year ago, a federal judge dismissed a possible federal consent decree with the department, leading to now-former police chief Brian O'Hara, Mayor Jacob Frey and leaders from the state human rights department to double down on a joint commitment to the local decree.
Noun
-
The 90-minute set got the crowd dancing to EDM remixes and hits from one of the genre’s pioneers, bringing back 2010s nostalgia.
-
The technology was invaluable to farmers and pioneers of the American West.
Cite this Entry
“Bellwethers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bellwethers. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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