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
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Following community debate over safety versus access to alternative mobility options, city leaders in La Mesa voted to ban e-bike use for riders under 12.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
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The leaders discussed trade on Thursday, with Xi saying that China’s door of opportunity will open wider.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Ben Johnson’s Bears are pioneers in the field of loopy comebacks.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
-
While Kendrick Lamar was conquering the hip-hop world, Rashad was honing an introspective style inspired by Southern hip-hop pioneers like Lil Wayne and OutKast.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bellwethers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bellwethers. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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