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
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
The rise in crude oil prices has fueled a sharp runup in energy stocks, but a few bellwethers are showing signs of upside exhaustion that warrant patience for investors looking to take advantage of their bullish longer-term technical setups.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 2 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
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
The rise in crude oil prices has fueled a sharp runup in energy stocks, but a few bellwethers are showing signs of upside exhaustion that warrant patience for investors looking to take advantage of their bullish longer-term technical setups.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 2 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
-
Investigating active government officials in Mexico is a new strategy for the United States, which in the past refrained from targeting sitting leaders in allied countries with criminal investigations because of the clear political ramifications.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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Beyond their immediate impact, experts say such attacks are part of a broader Russian strategy to sow fear among ordinary people and increase public pressure on Ukraine’s leaders to end the war.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Stark Future is considered one of the pioneers in this segment with its Varg motocross and Varg EX enduro models.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 03,
New Atlas,
3 June 2026
-
Even the pioneers of the city’s experimental-dance scene in the sixties and seventies, so open-minded and self-aware in some respects, mostly forgot to think about race.—
Marina Harss,
New Yorker,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bellwethers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bellwethers. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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