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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of echelons
Grey typically isn’t a colour associated with fun, but the background, lettering, stripe down the middle and sleeve design, have defied logic to propel the Raiders into the higher echelons of these rankings.
—
Ajay Rose, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Few things are more luxurious than a cashmere sweater, but the luscious fabric isn’t reserved solely for the upper echelons of society.
—Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 25 Sep. 2025
That’s essentially what happened in the American Revolution, most of the founding fathers were of the wealthiest echelons of the colonies.
—Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2025
His death has reverberated across the Republican Party — from the grassroots through the upper echelons of the White House.
—Elena Moore, NPR, 21 Sep. 2025
Her site, which grew out of a blog about motherhood and home décor, had become perhaps the most popular chronicler of Kennedy’s rise, offering half a million Substack followers an inside look at the Secretary’s new life in the upper echelons of the American right.
—Clare Malone, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Enninful announced his departure from the upper echelons of Vogue the summer prior to his final issue.
—Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
These behemoths are primarily technology firms, which dominate the upper echelons of the index due to their growth in areas like AI, cloud computing, and digital services.
—Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
The Americans’ success was frustrating to Iran’s high echelons.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Ajay Rose, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Few things are more luxurious than a cashmere sweater, but the luscious fabric isn’t reserved solely for the upper echelons of society.
—Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 25 Sep. 2025
That’s essentially what happened in the American Revolution, most of the founding fathers were of the wealthiest echelons of the colonies.
—Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2025
His death has reverberated across the Republican Party — from the grassroots through the upper echelons of the White House.
—Elena Moore, NPR, 21 Sep. 2025
Her site, which grew out of a blog about motherhood and home décor, had become perhaps the most popular chronicler of Kennedy’s rise, offering half a million Substack followers an inside look at the Secretary’s new life in the upper echelons of the American right.
—Clare Malone, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Enninful announced his departure from the upper echelons of Vogue the summer prior to his final issue.
—Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
These behemoths are primarily technology firms, which dominate the upper echelons of the index due to their growth in areas like AI, cloud computing, and digital services.
—Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
The Americans’ success was frustrating to Iran’s high echelons.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for echelons
Noun
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At the same time, the country has seen unprecedented levels of tourism—up 48 percent in 2024 from the year before, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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There are levels to this, of course.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The report didn’t specify whether that increase comes from ultra-wealthy people moving to New York, extant residents joining the ranks of the ultra-wealthy or both.—
Megan Sauer,
CNBC,
22 Oct. 2025
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Liebman has worked her way up Corcoran Group’s ranks since joining as an agent in 1984 at just 23 years old.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Cunha would drop into deeper positions, looking to trap any second balls won, before moving into vacated space.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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The technology’s growing adoption in political circles may force candidates in similar positions as Hashmi to the table, when the alternative is an AI clone created by the opponent.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Oregon slips a spot after a methodical win against Wisconsin, while Ole Miss flips places with Miami after beating Oklahoma on the road.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
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The safety plan can also include nearby places to go for urgent help, such as the nearest hospital emergency department or mental health crisis center.—
Dr. Theresa T. Nguyen,
Boston Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Echelons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/echelons. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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