as in level
the placement of someone or something in relation to others in a vertical arrangement
jobs in the upper echelons of the company pay quite well indeed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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 echelon
Drawing superficial inspiration from historic manse styles, their designs allude to the upper echelon, but are often built quickly with inexpensive materials to squeeze the most living space out of a lot size.
—
Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 17 Dec. 2025
Both teams sport inconsistent defenses that have been, at times, porous, while both Allen and Burrow hold upper-echelon passing abilities.
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 7 Dec. 2025
The upper echelon also influences how other members of Congress vote, and the paper found that a leader’s party is much more likely to vote for bills that help firms whose stocks the leader held, or vote against bills that harmed them.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Dec. 2025
The Lionel Messi-Lamine Yamal connection For believers in the soccer gods, Lamine Yamal's ascent to the upper echelons of the sport could almost seem predestined with Lamine anointed by a Barça icon — Lionel Messi.
—Nathalie Sommer, CBS News, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for echelon
Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 17 Dec. 2025
Both teams sport inconsistent defenses that have been, at times, porous, while both Allen and Burrow hold upper-echelon passing abilities.
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 7 Dec. 2025
The upper echelon also influences how other members of Congress vote, and the paper found that a leader’s party is much more likely to vote for bills that help firms whose stocks the leader held, or vote against bills that harmed them.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Dec. 2025
The Lionel Messi-Lamine Yamal connection For believers in the soccer gods, Lamine Yamal's ascent to the upper echelons of the sport could almost seem predestined with Lamine anointed by a Barça icon — Lionel Messi.
—Nathalie Sommer, CBS News, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for echelon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for echelon
Noun
-
This can support the aircraft’s weight, allowing a gentle descent with the wings level.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Therefore, the present work supports the belief that rational materials design at both the macro and atomic levels can solve long-standing challenges, according to a press release.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
To determine the ranking, Skyscanner looked at destinations with the biggest year-over-year increases in searches to which shows where exactly travelers are most interested in heading to in the upcoming year.—
Celia Fernandez,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Manning had the last name, the ranking, and was playing for a storied program.—
Jon Conahan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
That's not to mention the lower ranks where teams like James Madison or Tulane might find their way into the 12-team field, only to get obliterated in the playoff and lose their coaches and half their players to Power Five schools along the way.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
-
On Tuesday, Cuba released their names, ranks and ages.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Jimenez’s link-up role for Fulham is visible in his passing solar system, which shows the distance of his passes, the most common players receiving them and their average positions when doing so.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Moore was subsequently fired from his position as head football coach, which prosecutors said prompted him to show up at her home.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This changes the calculus of the military and makes the region and world a safer place.—
Kim Aris,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The editor of the Pine Bluff Commercial earned second place for commentary in a contest organized by America's Newspapers for his coverage of the failings of a city tax initiative that promised civic and economic restoration.—
Grant Lancaster,
Arkansas Online,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Echelon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/echelon. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share