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
This study indicates that the presence of oak trees can help support entire food chains in urban environments, and this is something that urban planners and property holders should be considering when designing urban green spaces.
—
Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
From bunless burgers to cups filled with meat, fast food chains are reshaping their menus as weight-loss drugs and wellness trends change how Americans eat.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026
This is the country Brazilians affectionately call Brasil com S, a place with more than 70 national parks, more than 4,600 miles of coastline, and more local fruit stands than fast food chains.
—Aaron Randolph, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Other fast food chains have noted the emergence of a two-tier economy—of high-income earners shelling out for meals, while low-income earners tighten their belts.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
Here are some of the deals and unusual treats fast food chains and casual restaurants have announced on their websites, social media or in news releases.
—Fielding Buck, Oc Register, 28 Oct. 2025
Freshwater melting from the Greenland ice sheet can weaken ocean currents in the North Atlantic, disrupting air and ocean temperature patterns and marine food chains.
—Alexandra A Phillips, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2025
But also, increasingly, in marine food chains and immense garbage patches in the oceans.
—New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Fast food chains across the country are getting in the spooky season spirit with the return of Halloween buckets.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Oct. 2025
Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
From bunless burgers to cups filled with meat, fast food chains are reshaping their menus as weight-loss drugs and wellness trends change how Americans eat.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026
This is the country Brazilians affectionately call Brasil com S, a place with more than 70 national parks, more than 4,600 miles of coastline, and more local fruit stands than fast food chains.
—Aaron Randolph, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Other fast food chains have noted the emergence of a two-tier economy—of high-income earners shelling out for meals, while low-income earners tighten their belts.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
Here are some of the deals and unusual treats fast food chains and casual restaurants have announced on their websites, social media or in news releases.
—Fielding Buck, Oc Register, 28 Oct. 2025
Freshwater melting from the Greenland ice sheet can weaken ocean currents in the North Atlantic, disrupting air and ocean temperature patterns and marine food chains.
—Alexandra A Phillips, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2025
But also, increasingly, in marine food chains and immense garbage patches in the oceans.
—New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Fast food chains across the country are getting in the spooky season spirit with the return of Halloween buckets.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for food chains
Noun
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By calling itself an institute, the artist-run organization adopts the traditional markers of academic power while collapsing the hierarchies of collegiate critical theory and interdisciplinary studies programs.—
Catherine Taft,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Working with the remnants of the Iranian regime would be much more complex, given the Tehran government’s longevity, ideological hostility toward Washington, and hierarchies.—
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For example, of 11 S&P 500 sectors – groupings of stocks according to industry and function – three are reporting an increase in net profit margin in the final three months of 2025 compared to the fourth quarter 2024.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
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With five defensive backs on the field most of the time, Patterson’s scheme is intended to adjust to any offense, allowing for his defense to limit substitutions and match up against most personnel groupings.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Food chains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/food%20chains. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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