BELLWETHERS Synonyms: 19 Similar and Opposite Words

bellwethers

noun

plural of bellwether

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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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 bellwethers There are few better bellwethers for investment in Sub-Saharan Africa than Ethiopia. — Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bellwethers

Noun

Israeli leaders have said little about the unprecedented death toll in Gaza, the humanitarian catastrophe and the lack of reconstruction.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
Lawyers for victims’ relatives claim that a group of extremist religious leaders in Saudi Arabia aided the hijackers.

— Tom Winter, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of leaders

Noun

New Atlas noted at the time that Samsung was following the path already established by pioneers such as Oura, but its arrival was a clear sign that smart rings were no longer just an experimental niche.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2026
Industry pioneers such as SpaceX’s Starlink have developed optical inter-satellite links for defense and commercial constellations, deploying large numbers of laser terminals across Starlink and Starshield.

— Rohit Jha, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of pioneers

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bellwether

bellwethers

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“Bellwethers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bellwethers. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of bellwethers

noun

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