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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bellwethers
Noun
-
Support for the measure was offered by some, including union leaders, who warned residents, particularly seniors, are likely to struggle if a local solution to federal budget cuts isn’t adopted.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
12 Feb. 2026
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City leaders are directing residents with questions or concerns to contact their state representatives and pledged transparency if new information emerges.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But some early food AI pioneers have already moved on.—
Barbara Booth,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Rubato’s Explorer rollneck is a throwback to an era before technical clothing, when mountaineers and Arctic pioneers had to rely on knitwear.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bellwethers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bellwethers. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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