as in criterion
something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared
a legendary Broadway flop that has subsequently become the barometer by which failure in the theater is judged
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Recent Examples of barometer
Consumers saw prices for fresh tomatoes spike about 15% in the month of March alone, following a 6% increase in February, according to the consumer price index, an inflation barometer.
—
Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
This isn’t to say the fan vote doesn’t serve as some kind of barometer.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 14 Apr. 2026
Weighing words while doing the work Edelman’s barometer has been telling executives for years that business is seen as more competent and ethical than governments, NGOs, or the media.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Notable population changes, up or down, seem to be a particular barometer triggering criticism.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for barometer
Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
This isn’t to say the fan vote doesn’t serve as some kind of barometer.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 14 Apr. 2026
Weighing words while doing the work Edelman’s barometer has been telling executives for years that business is seen as more competent and ethical than governments, NGOs, or the media.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Notable population changes, up or down, seem to be a particular barometer triggering criticism.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for barometer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barometer
Noun
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Things like an object’s size and weight must meet certain criteria, and they must also be designed to be robust enough to survive the violence of a rocket launch.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
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That major hedge is new, and seriously waters down the importance of these two existing constitutional criteria.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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These standards are not only more functional, but reduce the night sky glow, are more energy efficient, reduce wildlife impacts and contribute to better health.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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Technology has replaced the medium’s material substrate—once photochemical, now primarily electronic—and repeatedly modified its syntax, its narrative codes, its standards of realism.—
Dennis Lim,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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On Tuesday, Brent crude, the international benchmark, traded above $111 a barrel, or more than 50% above its prewar price.—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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Spot prices reflect real-time market trading and serve as a benchmark for futures contracts, ETFs and retail bullion pricing.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Rodriguez measures in at 6 feet 1 3/8, 231 pounds and was a tackling machine for the Red Raiders, the same school which produced current Dolphins All-Pro linebacker Jordyn Brooks and Hall of Famer Zach Thomas.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
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On the other, governments across the hemisphere are experimenting with approaches that emphasize economic liberalization and strong security measures.—
Armando Regil Velasco,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Barometer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barometer. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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