as in hierarchies
a scheme of rank or order
their team placed third on the tournament ladder
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Recent Examples of ladders
In the Somewhere musical, the ladders retract, steam comes out of the grates, and there are wooden floors.
—
Brian Sherrod, CBS News, 7 May 2026
At least five residents were rescued from the building with ladders placed up to the balconies, said Des Plaines Fire Department Chief Matt Matzl.
—Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
After half an hour of mat stretches, Mira and two other students climbed onto Swedish ladders, hung with their backs to the wall, and did a set of leg lifts, tapping their feet against their heads.
—Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Those who did make it out of the burning residence can thank quick-thinking good Samaritans who erected portable ladders outside the Belmont Ave.
—Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
But the most spectacular works are the 10- and 11-foot lengths of parchment that dramatize the way medieval architects conceived their spiritual ladders to heaven.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 23 Apr. 2026
She’s been knocked off ladders and thrown in dumpsters, and yet, strings of bad luck have kept her off the WrestleMania card for the last three years.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Gran Turismo is home to over 430 square feet of living space, thanks to the help of its expandable drop-down side wings (which can be equipped with ladders that drop straight into the ocean).
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2026
Crews used ladders to descend into the deep hole.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Brian Sherrod, CBS News, 7 May 2026
At least five residents were rescued from the building with ladders placed up to the balconies, said Des Plaines Fire Department Chief Matt Matzl.
—Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
After half an hour of mat stretches, Mira and two other students climbed onto Swedish ladders, hung with their backs to the wall, and did a set of leg lifts, tapping their feet against their heads.
—Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Those who did make it out of the burning residence can thank quick-thinking good Samaritans who erected portable ladders outside the Belmont Ave.
—Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
But the most spectacular works are the 10- and 11-foot lengths of parchment that dramatize the way medieval architects conceived their spiritual ladders to heaven.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 23 Apr. 2026
She’s been knocked off ladders and thrown in dumpsters, and yet, strings of bad luck have kept her off the WrestleMania card for the last three years.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Gran Turismo is home to over 430 square feet of living space, thanks to the help of its expandable drop-down side wings (which can be equipped with ladders that drop straight into the ocean).
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2026
Crews used ladders to descend into the deep hole.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ladders
Noun
-
Throughout the nine tracks, which range from haunting to playful and toy with auto-tune, Malone examines relationship hierarchies and expectations.—
Ilana Kaplan,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
-
Playfulness disrupts these rigid hierarchies.—
Julie Kratz,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Texas dominated many national rankings in the report as well, with the ZIP code encompassing the Dallas suburb of Crandall ranking second on the list and a more urban Dallas ZIP code ranking 10th.—
Faith Bugenhagen,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As has been reported, there were a series of unforeseeable circumstances that unfortunately tilted the scales heavily against the project being a financial success.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
13 May 2026
-
As trade policies have shifted the global trade landscape, Seroka highlighted that Vietnam’s growth as a sourcing hub has tilted the scales in pricing power, while also boosting the reliability of the Southeast Asian nation’s vendors.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Designers were clever enough to install a series of waterfalls that spill into the pool to cover up traffic noise from the pool’s location.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
-
The Braves have won four in a row and go for a sweep of the three-game series Thursday night.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ladders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ladders. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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