non·hi·er·ar·chi·cal | \ ˌnän-ˌhī-(ə-)ˈrär-ki-kəl 
also -hir-ˈär- \
also -hir-ˈär- \Definition of nonhierarchical
: not hierarchical especially : not divided into, organized by, or involving different levels of importance or status a nonhierarchical organization/structure All great groups have extraordinary leaders. It's a paradox, really, because great groups tend to be collegial and nonhierarchical, peopled by singularly competent individuals who often have an anti-authoritarian streak. — Warren Bennis and Patricia Ward Biederman
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Other Words from nonhierarchical
nonhierarchically \ ˌnän-ˌhī-(ə-)ˈrär-ki-k(ə-)lē also -hir-ˈär- \ adverb
also -hir-ˈär- \ adverbExamples of nonhierarchical in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web The organization is operated entirely by volunteers, with a decision-making body called a steering committee that is nonhierarchical and multiracial.
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Puja Prakash, Vogue, "Liberation Library Is Pushing for Prison Abolition, One Book at a Time," 25 Aug. 2020 This dovetails well with Cunningham’s asymmetrical, nonhierarchical sense of space.
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Marina Harss, The New Yorker, "Dancing with Merce Cunningham in Three Dimensions," 9 Dec. 2019 On set, the stars deliberately cultivated an idealized simulacrum of the broader industry — female-led, open, nonhierarchical, mutually supportive.
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Reggie Ugwu, New York Times, "Sandra Bullock and Mindy Kaling Break Out of ‘Actress Solitary Confinement’," 4 May 2018 The selection of material bears out the sort of eclectic, nonhierarchical sensibility that this quote suggests.
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Peter Margasak, Chicago Reader, "Jazz / Music / Post No Bills Chicago jazz bassist Joe Policastro shares a love for film and TV themes on his new trio album," 18 Aug. 2017
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nonhierarchical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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The first known use of nonhierarchical was in 1910
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