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.
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 pecking order
Watkins has given the start against Newcastle United and offered a reminder of his quality by opening the scoring in a 4-1 win, but the 29-year-old is quite clearly below Rashford in the pecking order at Villa Park right now.
—
Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Later in the season, when the flock has broken up and birds have already gone through their pecking order, Drury thinks twice before running a jake.
—Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 16 Apr. 2025
After switching places in the pecking order multiple times during the week following the election, Tordillos emerged with a slim six-vote advantage, triggering an automatic recount held last Thursday that confirmed the results.
—Devan Patel, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025
Endrick, with one goal in La Liga and another in Europe, lags behind other talents in the pecking order.
—Henry Flynn, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pecking order
Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Later in the season, when the flock has broken up and birds have already gone through their pecking order, Drury thinks twice before running a jake.
—Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 16 Apr. 2025
After switching places in the pecking order multiple times during the week following the election, Tordillos emerged with a slim six-vote advantage, triggering an automatic recount held last Thursday that confirmed the results.
—Devan Patel, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025
Endrick, with one goal in La Liga and another in Europe, lags behind other talents in the pecking order.
—Henry Flynn, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pecking order
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pecking order
Noun
-
And with a family built on hierarchy, and with her on the way to being queen consort, there was going to be people or bodies left in the street.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
5 June 2025
-
Lasry spoke about how success is a combination of chemistry and talent, particularly in basketball, where there’s a hierarchy for who will have the ball in their hands at the most important moments.—
Hank Tucker,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
The set reappears highest on the Official Albums Streaming ranking, coming in at No. 79.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
In June 2022, Lame dethroned Charli D’Amelio atop the TikTok rankings and has held the spot ever since.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
9 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pecking order.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pecking%20order. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share