Thesaurus results for LADDER

ladder

noun

ˈla-dər

Definition of ladder

as in hierarchy

a scheme of rank or order their team placed third on the tournament ladder

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 ladder One of Noe’s younger boys stood on a ladder under the orange tree, plucking fruit from the branches and chucking them to the ground, scattering the chickens. — Literary Hub, 16 July 2026 The fest’s closure arrives as Cayton-Holland continues to climb the national entertainment ladder. — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 16 July 2026 Indeed, the escalation ladder describes some things that are already happening. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2026 And in 1934, Reuters reported on Jack, a three-year-old Dalmatian who was known for pulling fire hoses, climbing ladders, recognizing alarm signals and even fetching meals for the firefighters on his team. — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ladder

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ladder

Noun

The lanky 26-year-old ascended the Astros’ pitching hierarchy as a starting pitcher but has blossomed into a swingman in Houston’s bullpen during his first full major-league season.

— The Athletic MLB Staff, New York Times, 24 July 2026
And there shouldn’t be such an obvious and geographically rigged hierarchy.

— Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026

Definition of hierarchy

Noun

The Nationals began to employ the practice at a wider scale earlier this season in the minor leagues, which meant Ford was ready to do the same when he was called up last week.

— Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Chatsworth is one of the bigger facilities due to the theater’s scale.

— Brooke Crothers, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of scale

Browse Nearby Words

lad

ladder

ladders

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ladder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ladder. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of ladder

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on ladder

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

vituperate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes