nonhierarchical

adjective

non·​hi·​er·​ar·​chi·​cal ˌnän-ˌhī-(ə-)ˈrär-ki-kəl 

 also  -hir-ˈär-

: 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

nonhierarchically

ˌnän-ˌhī-(ə-)ˈrär-ki-k(ə-)lē 

 also  -hir-ˈär-

adverb

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Denmark, like most of Scandinavia, likes to see itself as a fair and equal society, with a nonhierarchical structure, high levels of happiness and trustworthy institutions dedicated to everyone’s well-being. —Jasmina Nielsen, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2022

Eileen Fisher is known for its nonhierarchical, unconventional corporate structure. —Carrie Battan, The New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2022

The Davids demolish the Hobbesian narrative by pointing to complex, agricultural societies—in Asia, the Middle East and the Americas—that governed themselves in nonhierarchical ways. —John Horgan, Scientific American, 28 Feb. 2022

And Govan’s vision for the new LACMA — a nonhierarchical, decentralized museum showing rotating installations of the permanent collections along with art at satellite locations — has been nothing if not divisive. —Deborah Vankin Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2021

In March 1982 these activists, primarily progressive Catholics and Protestants, publicly established the Sanctuary Movement, which became a nonhierarchical network of hundreds of congregations across the country. —Rafil Kroll-zaidi, The New York Review of Books, 19 Nov. 2020

In March 1982 these activists, primarily progressive Catholics and Protestants, publicly established the Sanctuary Movement, which became a nonhierarchical network of hundreds of congregations across the country. —Rafil Kroll-zaidi, The New York Review of Books, 19 Nov. 2020

In March 1982 these activists, primarily progressive Catholics and Protestants, publicly established the Sanctuary Movement, which became a nonhierarchical network of hundreds of congregations across the country. —Rafil Kroll-zaidi, The New York Review of Books, 19 Nov. 2020

They're attracted by the high-tech facilities and opportunities for research; the easy, nonhierarchical interaction between faculty and students; and the open, social environment on campuses. —Jon Younger, Forbes, 3 June 2021

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Word History

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined above