BELLWETHER Synonyms: 17 Similar and Opposite Words

bellwether

noun

ˈbel-ˈwe-t͟hər

Definition of bellwether

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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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 The bellwether verdict came only one day after Meta lost a state trial in New Mexico, where the social media giant was ordered to pay out $375 million for misleading users about social media’s impact on children’s mental health. — Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Despite losing that bellwether, Meta continued to press the DSM argument in its filings in federal court. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026 The transaction was touted by civic and business leaders as a symbol of San Francisco’s resilience and a bellwether of a post-pandemic office-market rebound. — Matt Kapp, airmail.news, 6 Aug. 2026 South Korea’s Kospi index, which has been a bellwether for global stocks lately, soared 18% on Friday, marking its biggest single-day jump on record. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bellwether

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bellwether

Noun

Bronin, who is 47, made an argument for a new crop of leaders inside the party, framing his campaign as a response to Democrats’ losses in 2024 after President Joe Biden ended his race for re-election amid concerns about his age.

— Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
From technological upheavals to an increasingly frenetic global trend cycle, industry leaders are constantly tasked with predicting what comes next — which is no small feat in 2026.

— Sophie Lou Wilson, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of leader

Noun

Summary Haley and Hanna Cavinder, pioneers of NIL, have successfully transitioned from influencers to founders, launching their own wellness brand, Go Two, and co-founding a tequila brand, Azucar.

— Kristi Dosh, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
The Alila Ventana Big Sur resort is 51 years old, while the Post Ranch Inn sits on the former homestead of the Post pioneer family who settled in the region in the 1860s.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of pioneer

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“Bellwether.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bellwether. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of bellwether

noun

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'Bellwether': The Original Trend Watch

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