echelons

noun

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 The story picks up when 14-year-old Maeve and her older sister, Reg, start a secret phone romance with a boy from the local boat club who promises a way into the upper echelons of Cape Cod society. — Jack Dunn, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 That period also provided the foundations for where City currently sits within the top echelons of world soccer – having won the UEFA Champions League back in 2023 and winning four consecutive Premier Leagues from 2021 to 2024. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026 After folding into Kawasaki, Bimota has returned to the upper echelons of motorsport as well, taking over the factory WorldSBK team in 2025. — Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2026 The materials and craftsmanship are consistent with a garment that belonged to the highest echelons of Elizabeth’s English court. — Filippo Iarocci, Vanity Fair, 19 Sep. 2026 The pattern has been skewed by higher incomes collected by those in the higher echelons of wage workers, like corporate chief executives, entertainers and professional athletes. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026 From students like York all the way to the upper echelons of the Republican Party, Kirk's death was seen as a call to action. — Elena Moore, NPR, 10 Sep. 2026 The fact that many of the newest hybrids coming to market reach the upper echelons of luxury and performance indicates that such customers are ready to spend big on these dual-advantage beasts. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026 Some of them have brought conspiracy theories into the highest echelons of government. — Matthew N. Hannah, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for echelons
  1. levels
  2. ranks
  3. positions
  4. places
  5. rankings
Noun
  • Wine grapes have traditionally not been eaten because of their thicker skins, seeds and higher acidity levels.
    — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The car-free social bike ride is accessible and open to all levels of cyclists ages 3 and over.
    — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of levels
Noun
  • Since 2017, Tom Ford Beauty has gained about 20 ranks, today placing 19th, according to an aggregate of rankings from 23 countries.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • In a turnaround from last week, when the extended holiday lifted a number of novels into the upper ranks, comics sweep the top 10 this week.
    — Billboard Japan, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of ranks
Noun
  • Two Filipinos must fill above-the-line roles – director, writer or actor – and five more must work in key creative or technical crew positions.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Verstappen has called on Red Bull to sort out an issue which led to him losing positions at the start in Malaysia and in Saturday's sprint.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of positions
Noun
  • The program is different from places like The Golden Scoop, an ice cream shop in Overland Park that employs adults with disabilities over longer terms, according to Morgan.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026
  • For Sacramento-area fans of the Valkyries and women’s sports, there are several places to gather and cheer on the team.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of places
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
Definition of rankings

Browse Nearby Words

echelon
echelons
echo
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Cite this Entry

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

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