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
Both Californians and residents of New York City will cast their ballots in what could be important bellwethers for where we are headed.
—
The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
Virginia’s off-year races are viewed as critical bellwethers of the electorate’s mood ahead of the midterms.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Furthermore, big banks — bellwethers for economic activity — such as JPMorgan Chase, Citi and Goldman Sachs, beat earnings expectations, suggesting that fundamentals are still sound.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2025
The downtown Hyatt and Sheraton — two bellwethers for hotels in the area — were booked 100%, and more than 95%, respectively, Testa said.
—Hannah Ruhoff, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Still, pundits and political observers are watching both races in Virginia and New Jersey as potential bellwethers of the national mood, though candidate quality and local issues play significant roles.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 27 Sep. 2025
Apple and Samsung collectively account for roughly 35% of phones shipped globally, according to the International Data Corporation — and as the two leading smartphone makers, they are seen as bellwethers for the industry.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
One of the most striking bellwethers of how education is evolving is MITx’s MicroMasters in Supply Chain Management.
—Joseph Coughlin, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Icebergs are bellwethers of environmental changes.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2025
The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
Virginia’s off-year races are viewed as critical bellwethers of the electorate’s mood ahead of the midterms.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Furthermore, big banks — bellwethers for economic activity — such as JPMorgan Chase, Citi and Goldman Sachs, beat earnings expectations, suggesting that fundamentals are still sound.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2025
The downtown Hyatt and Sheraton — two bellwethers for hotels in the area — were booked 100%, and more than 95%, respectively, Testa said.
—Hannah Ruhoff, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Still, pundits and political observers are watching both races in Virginia and New Jersey as potential bellwethers of the national mood, though candidate quality and local issues play significant roles.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 27 Sep. 2025
Apple and Samsung collectively account for roughly 35% of phones shipped globally, according to the International Data Corporation — and as the two leading smartphone makers, they are seen as bellwethers for the industry.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
One of the most striking bellwethers of how education is evolving is MITx’s MicroMasters in Supply Chain Management.
—Joseph Coughlin, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Icebergs are bellwethers of environmental changes.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bellwethers
Noun
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Should the leaders falter over the months ahead, Slot and Guardiola will hope their teams are in a position to capitalise.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
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Despite vocal support from Aspire Capitol Heights families and a concerted effort from school leaders to prove that the school’s fiscal and academic issues could be solved, the board voted 4-1 to deny the school’s charter renewal.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Newcomers began to arrive almost immediately, with the growth driven by the forty-niners ‒ the gold-seeking pioneers who began flocking west in 1849.—
Andre Byik,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
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Soundgarden Soundgarden are widely considered one of the great pioneers of grunge.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bellwethers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bellwethers. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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