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 Producers Guild Awards are considered one of the most reliable bellwethers in the Oscar race because their preferential ballot closely mirrors the academy’s best picture voting system.
—
Los Angeles Times, 9 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
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
Los Angeles Times, 9 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bellwethers
Noun
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City leaders in El Cajon decided the city will not store homeless individuals’ personal belongings after encampments are cleared.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
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City leaders approved a $27 million settlement in 2021 to resolve a wrongful death lawsuit brought by Floyd's family.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Chua is often credited as one of the pioneers of modern mixology in Singapore.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
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As the industry grew, pioneers like Henry Ford increased production through new machinery and business management practices, such as the assembly line and vertical integration.—
Jeff Mayhugh,
Washington Post,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bellwethers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bellwethers. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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