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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hierarchy
In that context, new and old groups are operating in competition rather than hierarchy, increasingly driven by control over illicit economies rather than ideology.
—
Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
Because there’s something about the college environment that really inculcates hierarchy.
—Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
At its core, fascism is ultranationalism fused with a cult of masculine strength, racial hierarchy, paranoia about socialism and contempt for democracy.
—John Broich, The Conversation, 21 May 2026
By placing this overinflated Banksy beside the blue-chip sanctities of the market, the auction accidentally reveals how topsy-turvy these hierarchies really are: Taste itself begins to look like another speculative asset class — traded socially long before it is experienced aesthetically.
—Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 21 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hierarchy
Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
Because there’s something about the college environment that really inculcates hierarchy.
—Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
At its core, fascism is ultranationalism fused with a cult of masculine strength, racial hierarchy, paranoia about socialism and contempt for democracy.
—John Broich, The Conversation, 21 May 2026
By placing this overinflated Banksy beside the blue-chip sanctities of the market, the auction accidentally reveals how topsy-turvy these hierarchies really are: Taste itself begins to look like another speculative asset class — traded socially long before it is experienced aesthetically.
—Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 21 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hierarchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hierarchy
Noun
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Grown-ups bring a ladder to climb into the enormous fruit, kids gather up their inflatable toys, someone makes a waterslide out of a piece of rind, and the whole community spends the day splashing in the juice and pulp (being careful to remove the seeds first).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
-
This allows easier access to the room than a ladder would, while also freeing up floorspace in the living room.—
Adam Williams
May 31,
New Atlas,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Toney’s high school coach Mike Smith, who has developed more than his share of five-star recruits, including Patrick Surtain, Sony Michel and Brian Burns, suspects Toney didn’t get his due from the ranking systems because they’re based heavily on measurables.—
Bruce Feldman,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
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The Canadian hip-hop musician charted 27 smashes on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 2018, as a number of songs from his album Scorpion reached the ranking at the same time.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
The bureau said this year’s operation will be conducted on a larger scale, with federal officials working alongside state and local partners to identify and disrupt violent criminals.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
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While ethanol has been widely used in cars and trucks for decades, particularly in Brazil, it has rarely been deployed as a primary fuel for utility-scale electricity production.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hierarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hierarchy. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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