pecking order

variants also peck order
as in hierarchy
the way in which people or things in a group or organization are placed in a series of levels with different importance or status As an assistant manager, he was pretty low in the company's pecking order.

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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 pecking order The real question for the Broncos is who separates between Mims, Franklin, Vele and Bryant in the pecking order. Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 13 July 2025 Igor, 27, and 30-year-old Webster were limited by a combination of injuries and the pecking order to 10 and 11 league starts respectively last season out of a possible 38. Andy Naylor, New York Times, 8 July 2025 Igor Jesus adapted quickly, clambering past Soares in the pecking order and registering six goals and an assist in his first seven starts. Jack Lang, New York Times, 27 June 2025 The 18-year-old Flagg probably will be fourth in the pecking order from an offensive standpoint during his rookie season. Dj Siddiqi, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for pecking order
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pecking order
Noun
  • Fair Value Hierarchy Level Knowing the liquidity hierarchy level helps investors judge whether the correct valuation methodology has been used.
    Tomas Milar, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • The Horned Frogs have a clear hierarchy at quarterback and one of the best starters in the country which is the first step in contending for a conference championship.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • Introducing the 2025 Fortune 500, the definitive ranking of the biggest companies in America.
    Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 29 July 2025
  • After several months on the U.K.'s Official Albums chart — the nation's most important ranking of the most consumed full-lengths and EPs — Lady Gaga’s Mayhem quietly disappeared earlier this month.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025

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“Pecking order.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pecking%20order. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

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