Synonyms of pecking order

pecking order

noun

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.

Related Words

• hierarchy
• ranking
• food chain
• ladder
• standing
• scale
• graduation
• distribution
• series
• disposal
• level
• sequence
• setup
• ordering
• arrangement
• situation
• status
• disposition
• degree
• array
• position
• station
• spot
• reaches
• place
• footing
• echelon
• rung

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pecking order

For decades, the corporate pecking order has been relatively clear. — Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Behind him in the pecking order is probably Mbappé. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 23 June 2026

This pecking order belies the fact that Wilson might have the highest athletic upside of the bunch — and could offer a unique fit for the Bulls’ vision of the future. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026

The 20-year-old is not projected to break into the Netherlands’ starting defense, with veteran center backs Virgil van Dijk and Nathan Ake and left back Micky van de Ven ahead of him in the pecking order. — Christian Marshall, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026