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
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Recent Examples of echelons
His involvement propelled him to the upper echelons of legal leadership.
—
Diamy Wang, Charlotte Observer, 13 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
Cruelty and ruthlessness are deemed just, not only in the highest echelons of politics but also trickling down to daily life.
—Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
There’s often a great deal of hype (some deserved, some not) and vendor promises about transformation and new echelons of efficiency.
—Eddy Azad, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Pop didn’t seem to fully go all-in on Grande until Sweetener and Thank U, Next catapulted her into the highest echelons of the genre.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2026
The film meticulously recreated their steps in linking the Watergate break-in and Republican ‘dirty tricks’ campaign to the highest echelons of power in America.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 17 May 2026
Weiss and others with similar beliefs are getting a boost from the highest echelons of the Israeli government.
—Shira Pinson, NBC news, 17 May 2026
Diamy Wang, Charlotte Observer, 13 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
Cruelty and ruthlessness are deemed just, not only in the highest echelons of politics but also trickling down to daily life.
—Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
There’s often a great deal of hype (some deserved, some not) and vendor promises about transformation and new echelons of efficiency.
—Eddy Azad, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Pop didn’t seem to fully go all-in on Grande until Sweetener and Thank U, Next catapulted her into the highest echelons of the genre.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2026
The film meticulously recreated their steps in linking the Watergate break-in and Republican ‘dirty tricks’ campaign to the highest echelons of power in America.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 17 May 2026
Weiss and others with similar beliefs are getting a boost from the highest echelons of the Israeli government.
—Shira Pinson, NBC news, 17 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for echelons
Noun
-
Anxiety about job losses was consistent across age, gender and education levels, though Democrats were more likely than Republicans to express concern.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
11 June 2026
-
While in a game with an improved pace, high school athletes in Texas will receive valuable experience in a game more similar to the collegiate and professional levels.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Rogen and Franco’s friendship has been a point of contention for the actor, as Rogen continues to climb the ranks in Hollywood.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
-
But some Republicans and conservatives have broken ranks to join them in opposition.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Stephenson displayed his versatility again in that award-winning debut year, playing in a number of positions across defence and midfield, but has benefited from more stability in this one.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
The Moores profited off the scheme by placing themselves in positions on the boards that resulted in them receiving many of the ultimate payments, as well as diverting substantial funds paid by the participants to themselves, according to the news release.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Here are luckiest numbers, places to play Did anyone win Powerball last night, December 10, 2025?—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
11 Dec. 2025
-
Those extra places reminded me a bit of Detroit’s Autorama, not as a direct comparison — Autorama is a big deal on its own — but more as a way that the LA show was trying to appeal to a broad audience.—
Eric D. Lawrence,
Freep.com,
11 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Seth was always adamant these aren’t player rankings, but dividing them up into tiers is kind of ranking these guys.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Echelons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/echelons. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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