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
Relevance
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
This move seemingly kicked off a chain reaction across the upper echelons of luxury brands.
—
Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 20 Jan. 2026
Abughazaleh has risen to the upper echelons of fundraisers, in part due to a massive social media audience.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
The most plausible entrant may be a late-season episode of Strictly Come Dancing, which could creep into the lower echelons of the top 10.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2026
For years, Aspen has been revered as the ultimate mountain town escape — a hedonistic hub for the upper echelons of Hollywood and beyond.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 23 Dec. 2025
The Lionel Messi-Lamine Yamal connection For believers in the soccer gods, Lamine Yamal's ascent to the upper echelons of the sport could almost seem predestined with Lamine anointed by a Barça icon — Lionel Messi.
—Nathalie Sommer, CBS News, 1 Dec. 2025
For more than two decades, New Zealand filmmaker Niki Caro has built a career that has swung between breakout indie success and the upper echelons of studio filmmaking.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 19 Nov. 2025
The financier emailed often with people in the upper echelons of wealth around the world, brokering introductions and chatting about politics and foreign affairs.
—Jesse Bedayn, Fortune, 14 Nov. 2025
His passing, while not expected to immediately alter the balance of power—given his retirement from the Supreme People’s Assembly in 2019—underscores a generational shift in North Korea’s upper echelons.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 20 Jan. 2026
Abughazaleh has risen to the upper echelons of fundraisers, in part due to a massive social media audience.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
The most plausible entrant may be a late-season episode of Strictly Come Dancing, which could creep into the lower echelons of the top 10.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2026
For years, Aspen has been revered as the ultimate mountain town escape — a hedonistic hub for the upper echelons of Hollywood and beyond.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 23 Dec. 2025
The Lionel Messi-Lamine Yamal connection For believers in the soccer gods, Lamine Yamal's ascent to the upper echelons of the sport could almost seem predestined with Lamine anointed by a Barça icon — Lionel Messi.
—Nathalie Sommer, CBS News, 1 Dec. 2025
For more than two decades, New Zealand filmmaker Niki Caro has built a career that has swung between breakout indie success and the upper echelons of studio filmmaking.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 19 Nov. 2025
The financier emailed often with people in the upper echelons of wealth around the world, brokering introductions and chatting about politics and foreign affairs.
—Jesse Bedayn, Fortune, 14 Nov. 2025
His passing, while not expected to immediately alter the balance of power—given his retirement from the Supreme People’s Assembly in 2019—underscores a generational shift in North Korea’s upper echelons.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for echelons
Noun
-
Large and textured buttons on the headphones offer tactile control of the volume levels and also function as a power switch and taking incoming calls from a smartphone.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
These odors are often exacerbated by high moisture levels from the sinks, showers, tubs, not to mention what gets flushed down our drains.—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The following week, Pitt will return home to host North Carolina and former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who will be entering his second season in the college ranks.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Several moderate Democrats broke ranks with their colleagues to pass a stopgap spending bill and end a government shutdown late last year.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The company also reported one of its strongest liquidity positions ever, with cash and restricted cash balances reaching historic highs in quarters like Q1 2025, alongside persistent strength in working capital.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The Washington Examiner reported in October that DHS was planning to move lower-ranking Border Patrol agents to leadership positions at ICE.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The policy was issued in May and has been carried out in places such as Texas, the disclosure claims.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Rainfall in places like Lanzarote can be minimal.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Echelons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/echelons. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
