bellwether

noun

ˈbel-ˈwe-t͟hər How to pronounce bellwether (audio)
Definition of bellwethernext
as in leader
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bellwether But from where and how Nebraska players arrive in Lincoln still serves as something of a bellwether for the program’s success level. — Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 All of which make the sprawling district in Nevada’s rough and rocky Great Basin an improbable political bellwether. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026 It is considered a bellwether case, meaning its outcome is meant to help guide how all the other cases in federal court in Chicago might proceed, and/or how to settle those cases. — Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 The outcome of this bellwether case is expected to significantly influence whether other states pursue similar legal actions against AI companies. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bellwether
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bellwether
  1. leader
  2. pioneer
Noun
  • Palo Alto and fellow Club name CrowdStrike are the leaders in this platform shift.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Within days, midwives, mothers, community leaders and politicians held a rally at the YWCA in downtown Troy.
    — Noam Levey, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of leader
Noun
  • The veterans, the pioneers who’ve been in organic cotton for decades, and the new faces arriving with fresh energy.
    — Bart Vollaard, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Rob Almond is the CEO of NEST, a pioneer of Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) in North America.
    — Rob Almond, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of pioneer

Browse Nearby Words

bells and whistles
bellwether
bellwethers
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bellwether.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bellwether. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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