echelons

plural of echelon
as in levels
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

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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 echelons Is there a category that is above top secret that even those in the highest echelons don’t know about it? Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026 Spain’s index score still falls within the upper echelons of an individualist culture, but is lower than some of its fellow major footballing nations, including France, Germany, Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and the Netherlands. Mark Carey, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026 Epstein has a long record in the upper echelons of conservative legal circles. Austin Horn june 30, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026 The film catapulted Sara and her costars — Matthew Broderick, Alan Tuck, and Jennifer Grey — to new echelons of fame. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 June 2026 But twists of fate instead sent him on a path full of political highs and lows that included the upper echelons of law and business. Mary Ramsey updated June 22, Charlotte Observer, 22 June 2026 When Barack Obama won the presidency in 2008, the new first lady could have easily summoned a design from fashion’s upper echelons for her inaugural gown. Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 17 June 2026 The buzz has reached further into the inner echelons of the music world, too. Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 10 June 2026 Their proof would become the signature result of Tao’s early career, contributing to his winning the Fields Medal in 2006, and propelling him to the upper echelons of mathematics. Quanta Magazine, 8 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for echelons
Noun
  • Traffic in the waterway remains at less than a fifth of pre-war levels, and no genuinely safe shipping route exists in the region, according to a maritime intelligence group.
    Tim Lister, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Kids also love all the installations on the three mezzanine levels.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • This suggests that companies add to their part-time ranks to save on the health insurance costs of standard employment.
    Paul Osterman, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Kennedy, a member of the family that has run NASCAR for decades, was a pro stock car driver before joining the executive ranks.
    Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The city is eliminating 51 positions and freezing 91 positions for half the year and 29 positions for the full year.
    Jack Fink, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Its supreme leader appointed six new figures to key positions, all of whom opposed the June memorandum of understanding with the US.
    Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • As a result, some places, such as Nevada, have gotten short shrift in the past because candidates, most from the eastern half of the country, have concluded the time investment isn’t worth it.
    ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Across the country, immigrants have stayed home from work, kept children out of school and avoided stores, churches and other places that once anchored daily life.
    Maria Santana, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Texas dominated many national rankings in the report as well, with the ZIP code encompassing the Dallas suburb of Crandall ranking second on the list and a more urban Dallas ZIP code ranking 10th.
    Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 28 Feb. 2026

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“Echelons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/echelons. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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