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
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 echelon
From the upper echelons of global logistics to the cutting edge of industrial energy, this week’s business landscape is defined by transition and rapid scaling.
—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2026
That consciousness even reached the upper echelons of medicine.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
The Patriots have a need for a top-echelon wide receiver.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Instead, more households are climbing into the echelons of the upper middle class due to income gains in recent decades, according to research from the nonpartisan American Enterprise Institute.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for echelon
Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2026
That consciousness even reached the upper echelons of medicine.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
The Patriots have a need for a top-echelon wide receiver.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Instead, more households are climbing into the echelons of the upper middle class due to income gains in recent decades, according to research from the nonpartisan American Enterprise Institute.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for echelon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for echelon
Noun
-
Cobb said that multiple District 1 residents, in the northwest quadrant of the city, became frustrated with Perkins’ level of communication with his constituents leading up to the March 2 City Council vote on the tax breaks.—
Ilana Arougheti
Updated April 28,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
-
This transit is shedding light on surface-level power and the unseen social currents secretly dictating your life.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
What the ranking also does not reflect is the work happening at the local level.—
Sooji Nam,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
-
Here’s a ranking of the UDFAs with the best chance to stick around with the Raiders in 2026, from least likely to most.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Where does that hit rank in his career both in importance but also in terms of the bone-crunching quality of it?—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The split decision came after tense deliberations, with jurors initially sent back after one member broke ranks during polling, forcing further discussion before a final verdict was reached.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Jayson happened to be playing the same position as them.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Members of the National Guard took up position inside the building as people were allowed to leave but not reenter.—
Bridget Byrne,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Only 26 points separated Flagg and Knueppel in a balloting where 100 reporters and broadcasters who cover the league ranked their top three rookies, with five points going to first place, three to second and one to third.—
Schuyler Dixon,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Our Consider This event takes place on Thursday, May 7 on the Universal lot, with a reception to follow at the Peacock Grill.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Echelon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/echelon. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
