ˈhī-(ə-)ˌrär-kē
as in ladder
a scheme of rank or order
honesty sits at the top of my hierarchy of values
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 hierarchy
The century-old behemoth has a reputation, gained over the decades, for running a rigid hierarchy and resisting change.
—
Jon McNeill, Big Think, 25 Mar. 2026
Many religious minorities feel that provision writes a hierarchy into law, granting special privileges to the majority religion.
—Eranda Jayawickreme, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Although most car enthusiasts know what a Dodge Hellcat is, there are still more powerful options from the Mopar hierarchy.
—Keenan Thompson, Freep.com, 24 Mar. 2026
The Giants need a hierarchy, a leadership group of veterans that upholds a standard, one voice from the head coach on down that does not tolerate rookies, second-year players and guys not on the field putting the rest of the group in the public eye for the wrong reasons.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hierarchy
Jon McNeill, Big Think, 25 Mar. 2026
Many religious minorities feel that provision writes a hierarchy into law, granting special privileges to the majority religion.
—Eranda Jayawickreme, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Although most car enthusiasts know what a Dodge Hellcat is, there are still more powerful options from the Mopar hierarchy.
—Keenan Thompson, Freep.com, 24 Mar. 2026
The Giants need a hierarchy, a leadership group of veterans that upholds a standard, one voice from the head coach on down that does not tolerate rookies, second-year players and guys not on the field putting the rest of the group in the public eye for the wrong reasons.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hierarchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hierarchy
Noun
-
In 2024, Contra Costa County investigators searched a ravine and found the ladder Matthew Muller described using to climb into a family's house weeks after the March 2015 attack on Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn.—
Lauren Clark,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
But what was once a distant dream is now coming true for more and more authors, all up and down the ladder of literary fame and prestige.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Best Places to Raise a Family ranking provides a comprehensive assessment of key factors that are meaningful for families, according to Niche.—
Chuck Fieldman,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Out of the country's top 100 biggest cities, Pittsburgh requires a comparatively lower salary, ranking 77th.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Even minor changes in clouds, wind or storms can force delays, especially for a mission of this scale.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, on grander scales, older stars across the Universe run out of fuel and die, new episodes of star-formation are triggered, and the Universe continues to expand, driving individual galaxies, groups of galaxies, and clusters of galaxies mutually apart, faster and faster, as time goes on.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hierarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hierarchy. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
