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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Recent Examples of pecking order
Baker was another former four-star recruit that will look to make an impact and move up the pecking order during camp.
—
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 July 2025
Indeed, Nicolas Jackson has been knocked down the pecking order and Manchester United has been linked.
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Behind closer Edwin Diaz (4-0, 1.66, 19 saves), Hartwig was challenged to crack a pecking order that included right-handers Reed Garrett (2-4, 2.87 ERA), Jose Buttó (2-1, 2.47 ERA), Huascar Brazoban (5-2, 3.99 ERA) and Max Kranick (3-2, 3.65 ERA).
—Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for pecking order
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 July 2025
Indeed, Nicolas Jackson has been knocked down the pecking order and Manchester United has been linked.
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Behind closer Edwin Diaz (4-0, 1.66, 19 saves), Hartwig was challenged to crack a pecking order that included right-handers Reed Garrett (2-4, 2.87 ERA), Jose Buttó (2-1, 2.47 ERA), Huascar Brazoban (5-2, 3.99 ERA) and Max Kranick (3-2, 3.65 ERA).
—Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for pecking order
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pecking order
Noun
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Rigid hierarchies and siloed communication create drag at precisely the moment companies must move faster.—
Brent Gleeson,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Inspired by his time in the military, the kitchen brigade, as it’s known, was modeled after the army, in which rank and hierarchy determines the chain of command.—
Vivian Song,
CNN Money,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Both also moved up in the rankings ahead of the U.S. Open.—
Adam Zagoria,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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As Shelton raised the champion trophy, he was set to move to No. 6 in the ATP rankings and No. 4 in the ATP Race to Turin.—
Lukas Weese,
New York Times,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pecking order.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pecking%20order. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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