as in criterion
something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared
a legendary Broadway flop that has subsequently become the barometer by which failure in the theater is judged
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Recent Examples of barometer
When personal narratives dominate the news cycle, social platforms act as real-time barometers for public curiosity.
—
Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
For restaurants, tips also serve as a barometer of guest satisfaction.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Social media reaction — good or bad, depending on the performance and result — is an unreliable barometer of reality.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
That interpretation aligns more closely with the classical framing of gold as a barometer of confidence.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for barometer
Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
For restaurants, tips also serve as a barometer of guest satisfaction.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Social media reaction — good or bad, depending on the performance and result — is an unreliable barometer of reality.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
That interpretation aligns more closely with the classical framing of gold as a barometer of confidence.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for barometer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barometer
Noun
-
The White House has not made clear the criteria used to decide which countries are being invited to join.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
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Time after time in our residential experience, the Board of Review would knock back the assessor’s assessments (the criteria applied being different), thus rewarding the many attorneys who know how to game a system with myriad opportunities for corruption.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Pivotal's quality management system is also certified by SAE International, which sets global aviation safety standards.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
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While that is the standard that would be considered in a civil case, local investigators are also looking into whether any state laws were violated.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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That was the preliminary benchmark revision, an annual first-look estimate that coincides with the release of the first-quarter QCEW data.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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Scores were based on multiple benchmarks, including convenience of store hours and location, reliability of mobile app, store cleanliness and layout, staff helpfulness, and food quality and freshness.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Mohan noted that Western Digital expects the AI and cloud storage market to grow exabytes (EB), a measure of data storage, at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of over 25% through 2030.—
TipRanks,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
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It was proven again in Friday’s 119-115 loss to the lowly New Orleans Pelicans, a third straight defensive dud that left center Rudy Gobert calling for extreme measures of accountability.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Barometer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barometer. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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