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
This tree goes up fast in three easy steps and makes adding ornaments a breeze—no ladders needed.
—
Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2025
Instead of using natural handholds in the rock, via ferrata climbers move almost exclusively using artificial hardware drilled into the rock face, such as chains, cables, bridges, and ladders, and are attached to these fixtures via a tether and harness at all times.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 29 Sep. 2025
The van had ladders on top and reflective tape on the back.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 29 Sep. 2025
Brown climbed the ladder to haul in a pass over the middle from Madsen, beating his defender in the air acrobatically before smashing into the end zone turf for the catch and a 33-14 lead.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ladder
Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2025
Instead of using natural handholds in the rock, via ferrata climbers move almost exclusively using artificial hardware drilled into the rock face, such as chains, cables, bridges, and ladders, and are attached to these fixtures via a tether and harness at all times.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 29 Sep. 2025
The van had ladders on top and reflective tape on the back.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 29 Sep. 2025
Brown climbed the ladder to haul in a pass over the middle from Madsen, beating his defender in the air acrobatically before smashing into the end zone turf for the catch and a 33-14 lead.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ladder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ladder
Noun
-
The fact Nuno did not have the opportunity to work with his entire squad last summer — only two new additions had arrived in time to join the training camp in Portugal — played a role in the breakdown of his relationship with the Forest hierarchy.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
With less money being invested by record labels into touring, that has created a top-heavy artist hierarchy, with the rich getting richer and the poor and middle class falling by the wayside.—
Roy Trakin,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In 2023, New College was ranked 100 among national liberal arts colleges, and then in 2024 its ranking fell to 122.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
-
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, a list that’s been compiled by a British media company for nearly a quarter-century, has just announced its inaugural ranking of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants.—
Linda Zavoral,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Typically the party that controls Washington fares worse during midterm elections, which, depending on the scale of its losses, can limit a president’s ability to implement the party’s agenda.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Jovic, 22, has been eligible to sign a rookie-scale extension with the Heat since July 1.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ladder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ladder. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share