echelons

noun

plural of echelon
as in levels
the placement of someone or something in relation to others in a vertical arrangement jobs in the upper echelons of the company pay quite well indeed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 echelons Some of them have brought conspiracy theories into the highest echelons of government. — Matthew N. Hannah, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026 If the Bruins want to compete with the upper echelons of the Big Ten, West needs to build on his success last season. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026 Is there a category that is above top secret that even those in the highest echelons don’t know about it? — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026 Spain’s index score still falls within the upper echelons of an individualist culture, but is lower than some of its fellow major footballing nations, including France, Germany, Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and the Netherlands. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026 Epstein has a long record in the upper echelons of conservative legal circles. — Austin Horn june 30, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026 The film catapulted Sara and her costars — Matthew Broderick, Alan Tuck, and Jennifer Grey — to new echelons of fame. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 June 2026 But twists of fate instead sent him on a path full of political highs and lows that included the upper echelons of law and business. — Mary Ramsey updated June 22, Charlotte Observer, 22 June 2026 When Barack Obama won the presidency in 2008, the new first lady could have easily summoned a design from fashion’s upper echelons for her inaugural gown. — Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for echelons
  1. levels
  2. ranks
  3. positions
  4. places
  5. rankings
Noun
  • After the boy missed a long-lasting dose, the house manager contacted the same hospital to talk about how to improve his blood glucose levels.
    — Jacques Billeaud, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Tiedemann noted that permit levels are intentionally set with some buffer, so that a violation doesn’t immediately cause a crisis.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of levels
Noun
  • Some came through technical ranks, whereas others followed very different paths.
    — Milan Shetti, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • For the next several summers, Wardle worked on staff, investing in the younger Scouts coming up through the ranks.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of ranks
Noun
  • The news about Guimaraes wanting to leave was followed almost immediately by Johan Manzambi, Newcastle’s top target across all positions, opting for Aston Villa at the final moment.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Bonnell says the 805 RX was designed around adult-sized ergonomics, with adjustable footpeg and handlebar positions.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of positions
Noun
  • In her 2015 memoir, Steinem recounts her dynamic, nomadic career as a writer and activist, and pays vivid homage to the people, places, and conversations that shaped her.
    — Mary Lawrence Ware, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The home country is hostile, literally and culturally, so the characters often turn to America and England, places that are marginally safer but only just.
    — Tembe Denton-Hurst, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of places
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
Definition of rankings

Browse Nearby Words

echelon
echelons
echo
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Echelons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/echelons. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All