echelon

noun

ˈe-shə-ˌlän How to pronounce echelon (audio)
Definition of echelonnext
as in level
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

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 echelon Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong’s combination of incredible speed and power has put him among the upper echelon of elite multitool players in Major League Baseball history. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026 After folding into Kawasaki, Bimota has returned to the upper echelons of motorsport as well, taking over the factory WorldSBK team in 2025. — Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2026 The materials and craftsmanship are consistent with a garment that belonged to the highest echelons of Elizabeth’s English court. — Filippo Iarocci, Vanity Fair, 19 Sep. 2026 The pattern has been skewed by higher incomes collected by those in the higher echelons of wage workers, like corporate chief executives, entertainers and professional athletes. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for echelon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for echelon
  1. level
  2. ranking
  3. rank
  4. position
  5. place
Noun
  • Poland also has over 86,000 places of refuge offering a lower level of protection such as basements, underground garages or subway stations, and catering for around 23 million people.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The yield on 30-year Treasurys briefly hit its highest level since 2002, with traders pricing in a 90% likelihood of a Federal Reserve rate hike by year-end driven by concerns over inflation.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of level
Noun
  • Follert credits the monthly check-ins and the direct impact employees can have in shaping the company culture for its ranking in the top 10.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Some determine whether a firm meets baseline requirements; others are weighted to determine its place in the final ranking.
    — Kelli Grant, CFP®,Riley de León, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of ranking
Noun
  • Beating Alabama would vault them up even higher in the ranks and silence some of the naysayers.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Argentina, a Group of 20 nation of 46 million people home to a vast Patagonian wilderness and culturally vibrant capital, is set to become the first South American country to join their ranks.
    — Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of rank
Noun
  • The clash added another layer to a campaign in which el Sayed’s positions on foreign policy and his associations with prominent progressive figures have become points of contention.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
  • While Spencer Jones is still a work in progress defensively in center, Grisham certainly shouldn’t be patrolling the position for the Yankees moving forward.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of position
Noun
  • Thanks to its waves of immigration, there are lots of excellent Japanese, Italian and Middle Eastern restaurants, but there are also plenty of wonderful Brazilian places.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 4 Oct. 2026
  • On rainy days and sunny days alike, this is a worthwhile place to come nerd out.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of place

Browse Nearby Words

ecclesiastics
echelon
echelons
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Cite this Entry

“Echelon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/echelon. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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