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 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for echelons
  1. levels
  2. ranks
  3. positions
  4. places
  5. rankings
Noun
  • Ship traffic is unlikely to return to pre-war levels, of around 130 to 140 crossings a day, according to analysts, which could keep oil prices elevated for longer.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Layered on top is rhetoric, from the highest levels of government, that casts career scientists as adversaries rather than protectors.
    — Daniel Jernigan, STAT, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of levels
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
Definition of ranks
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
Definition of positions
Noun
  • This particular model also has a flashlight, which comes in handy in the most unexpected places, like walking back to your safari vehicle after an evening bush dinner.
    — Hayley Domin, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The common spaces are places to linger, from the yellow parlor room to the quiet library.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 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

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echelon
echelons
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Cite this Entry

“Echelons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/echelons. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on echelons

Nglish: Translation of echelons for Spanish Speakers

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