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
Pharma leadership is being reinforced by IHE's push to new highs and a fresh weekly MACD crossover, and JNJ is showing the types of intermediate-term signals that can precede rotation into other large-cap bellwethers.
—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
8 June 2026
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
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
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
8 June 2026
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
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
-
In response to what state leaders describe as threats from the federal government, the Minnesota Department of Human Services began the major task of revalidating 5,472 providers across various service programs deemed at high risk for fraud.
-
This disconnect stems from a lack of psychological safety, where leaders fear speaking up or challenging ideas.
Noun
-
But it was then followed up by a Spanish hymn, sung by musicians, dressed in 18th-century Spanish Colonial attire, including the garb of soldado, vaquero, pioneers, military, and indigenous peoples.
-
As of January 2026, that federal evaluation included 17 UTM service providers and operators, a sign the framework is moving from two pioneers to an industry-wide layer.
Cite this Entry
“Bellwethers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bellwethers. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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