as in hierarchies
a series of types of living things in which each one uses the next lower member of the series as a source of food
Sharks eat fish that are lower in the food chain. animals that are at the top of the food chain
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Recent Examples of food chains
Fast food chains have struggled against rising operational costs and increasingly cost-conscious customers.
—
Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
The drinks are also more profitable for fast food chains than the standard soda fountain drinks or plain coffees.
—ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
Fast food chains, thirsty for new ways to grow, are amping up their beverage offerings.
—Dee-Ann Durbin, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
PlushCare analyzed vanilla milkshakes from 14 different fast food chains.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Beyond reactions from both fans and critics, other fast food chains — including Burger King and Wendy’s — were quick to take advantage of Kempczinski’s viral moment.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
But there’s been a remarkable shift in the country’s restaurant landscape, with fast casual and fast food chains posting record-breaking growth in recent years.
—Vivian Song, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
Not through explosions, but through slow, invisible leakage into marine ecosystems and food chains.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Mar. 2026
Life at the bottom of the Mediterranean is adapting to the garbage, raising questions about food chains and ecosystem health that researchers are still working to understand.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026
Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
The drinks are also more profitable for fast food chains than the standard soda fountain drinks or plain coffees.
—ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
Fast food chains, thirsty for new ways to grow, are amping up their beverage offerings.
—Dee-Ann Durbin, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
PlushCare analyzed vanilla milkshakes from 14 different fast food chains.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Beyond reactions from both fans and critics, other fast food chains — including Burger King and Wendy’s — were quick to take advantage of Kempczinski’s viral moment.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
But there’s been a remarkable shift in the country’s restaurant landscape, with fast casual and fast food chains posting record-breaking growth in recent years.
—Vivian Song, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
Not through explosions, but through slow, invisible leakage into marine ecosystems and food chains.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Mar. 2026
Life at the bottom of the Mediterranean is adapting to the garbage, raising questions about food chains and ecosystem health that researchers are still working to understand.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for food chains
Noun
-
Throughout the nine tracks, which range from haunting to playful and toy with auto-tune, Malone examines relationship hierarchies and expectations.—
Ilana Kaplan,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
-
Playfulness disrupts these rigid hierarchies.—
Julie Kratz,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
To prevent mealybug infestations, allow airflow between plant groupings and keep infected plants away from healthy ones.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
14 May 2026
-
When in a forest, stay in proximity to shorter tree groupings.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Smith has been bumped down to the college ranks.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
The skill that earned you the promotion is now the skill capping your rise to the executive ranks.—
Mark Murphy,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Food chains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/food%20chains. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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