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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of echelon
While that investment factored into their ability to draw an invitation to join the Pac-12 in 2026, the conference the Rams are joining is still multiple rungs below the upper echelon of college athletics.
—
Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
These are not rank-and-file academics but the very top echelon of American science, speaking with one voice.
—John Drake, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
But Oluwaseyi’s climb to the higher echelons of the sport is the understood, yet bittersweet rub for MLS, which is high-level soccer but not, say, the NBA, NFL, NHL or Major League Baseball.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 29 Aug. 2025
Still, nowhere signals the archipelago’s shift into the upper echelons of Indian Ocean hospitality better than the arrival of Cheval Blanc Seychelles, which opened on the northwest coast of Mahé last December (and landed on Robb Report’s list of the World’s 50 Best Luxury Hotels shortly after).
—Chris Schalkx, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for echelon
Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
These are not rank-and-file academics but the very top echelon of American science, speaking with one voice.
—John Drake, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
But Oluwaseyi’s climb to the higher echelons of the sport is the understood, yet bittersweet rub for MLS, which is high-level soccer but not, say, the NBA, NFL, NHL or Major League Baseball.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 29 Aug. 2025
Still, nowhere signals the archipelago’s shift into the upper echelons of Indian Ocean hospitality better than the arrival of Cheval Blanc Seychelles, which opened on the northwest coast of Mahé last December (and landed on Robb Report’s list of the World’s 50 Best Luxury Hotels shortly after).
—Chris Schalkx, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for echelon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for echelon
Noun
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The regulation of historic districts is done at the local level.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
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Two of the missions with uncertain futures monitor carbon dioxide levels in the Earth's atmosphere.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Taylor and Wasserman both said Milwaukee County could not single-handedly solve the entire state's arts funding problem and that responsibility for Milwaukee's ranking lies in the state Legislature.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Financially, Mexico also fares well, though safety and air quality continue to drag down its overall Quality of Life ranking.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Like college coaches, social media gurus work their way through the ranks of the industry, and in an age where all eyeballs can attract revenues and sponsorships and ultimately, more money in the pockets of players and recruits in a competitive marketplace, Lazarus and his colleagues are valuable.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
3 Sep. 2025
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The parade, watched by thousands of people in Beijing and broadcast live, showcased ranks of marching soldiers, missiles, modern fighter jets and other military might as China seeks to wield greater influence on the global stage.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Barrett's clear statement on the 22nd Amendment carries significant weight given her position on the Supreme Court, which would likely be asked to rule on any attempt to circumvent the two-term limit.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
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At home, consciously shape algorithm interactions to reflect your preferences and ethical positions.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Following a little lightning, and a 64-minute delay, their defense continually came up with stops and handed the ball to the strength of this team, the place where all of the money and resources went.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
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Jennifer Hudson, who competed on American Idol in its third season but came in seventh place, stepped in to take her place as a judge while she was gone.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Echelon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/echelon. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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