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

Western Michigan is seventh in the pecking order at 5%, partly because the program’s conference slate is perceived as weaker than other competitors. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 24 Sep. 2026

The karure finished at the top of the pecking order with more than 25,000 votes, beating previous winners the kākāpō, a large flightless parrot, and the kārearea, or New Zealand falcon, into second and third place, respectively. — Adam Pourahmadi, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026

But the wideouts had no drops against Arkansas State, showing progress and two players have begun to separate themselves in the pecking order. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Sep. 2026

So the pecking order there is worth monitoring with Mafah’s addition. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 14 Sep. 2026