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
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
Industry bellwethers like 3M , Netflix , United Airlines , Johnson & Johnson , GE Aerospace , Intel , and SLB are all set to report next week, to name a few.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 19 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
Along with Erie County, you guys are the bellwethers among bellwethers.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 5 Dec. 2025
Along with the expanding upstarts, Silicon Valley’s bellwethers appear to be on solid and strengthening ground.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 25 Nov. 2025
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
Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Industry bellwethers like 3M , Netflix , United Airlines , Johnson & Johnson , GE Aerospace , Intel , and SLB are all set to report next week, to name a few.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 19 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
Along with Erie County, you guys are the bellwethers among bellwethers.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 5 Dec. 2025
Along with the expanding upstarts, Silicon Valley’s bellwethers appear to be on solid and strengthening ground.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 25 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bellwethers
Noun
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The two leaders were former allies who later became embroiled in bruising political disputes, deepening divisions in one of Asia's most unwieldy democracies.—
JIM GOMEZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
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The incident took place on the third floor bridge linking City Hall and City Hall East, which is currently displaying an exhibit of prominent Black women community leaders, according to Price spokesperson Angelina Valencia-Dumarot.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Salsa segments paid homage to icons like Héctor Lavoe and the Fania All-Stars, while reggaetón moments honored pioneers such as Daddy Yankee, Ivy Queen, and Tego Calderón.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
30 Jan. 2026
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Francesco Iorio, founder of Augmenta and one of the pioneers of generative design at Autodesk, works in an industry where visibility actively undermines trust.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bellwethers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bellwethers. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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