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
The Americans’ success was frustrating to Iran’s high echelons.
—
Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
But the Fed’s diversity problem hasn’t just been at the upper echelons of the institution.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 29 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
Joaquin Temes As Argentina's midterm electoral campaign reaches its second and third climaxes, the number of scandalous corruption accusations aimed at the highest echelons of national politics is surging.
—Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Sun has found comfort and satisfaction in his work as a novelist and florist after a difficult childhood in the entertainment industry, while Sung is driven to reach the highest echelons of career success as a team leader at Feel Entertainment, having seen her wealthy family lose everything.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2025
Still, examples of talented women overcoming gender biases in reaching the upper echelons of the 20th century fine art world are far less numerous than the other way around.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
As high-end restaurants and hotels open up in major cities, the upper echelons of wines are seeing improved sales – even in the face of reduced consumption.
—Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2025
Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
But the Fed’s diversity problem hasn’t just been at the upper echelons of the institution.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 29 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
Joaquin Temes As Argentina's midterm electoral campaign reaches its second and third climaxes, the number of scandalous corruption accusations aimed at the highest echelons of national politics is surging.
—Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Sun has found comfort and satisfaction in his work as a novelist and florist after a difficult childhood in the entertainment industry, while Sung is driven to reach the highest echelons of career success as a team leader at Feel Entertainment, having seen her wealthy family lose everything.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2025
Still, examples of talented women overcoming gender biases in reaching the upper echelons of the 20th century fine art world are far less numerous than the other way around.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
As high-end restaurants and hotels open up in major cities, the upper echelons of wines are seeing improved sales – even in the face of reduced consumption.
—Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for echelons
Noun
-
In some cases, triglyceride levels rose by factors of 100 or more.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Beets should be consumed 60 to 90 minutes before a workout to let nitrate levels peak.—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Pundits have always dominated the ranks of posters on social media, but now the masses of silent followers are declining, and continued posting risks preaching to accounts of the converted, the disengaged, or the defunct.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
10 Sep. 2025
-
First of all, the franchise has tended to pull its season leads from its own ranks over the years, with many Bachelorette stars having previously competed on The Bachelor, and vice versa.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Unlike traditional venture investors tied to LP capital cycles, family offices tend to hold positions longer and are more likely to re-up in subsequent rounds.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Toward commercial use Kepler positions the latest gait upgrade as expanding K2’s applicability in commercial and industrial settings.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The bans are mandated in places such as Arkansas, Texas, Virginia and more.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Here are luckiest numbers, places to play Did anyone win Powerball last night, September 13, 2025?—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Echelons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/echelons. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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