Hierarchy

A system in which people or things are arranged according to rank or authority; a graded order of importance or power.

noun

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Imagine This

The president and his top advisors make up the higher arch of the government.

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Sounds Like

hai-ER-ar-kee

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Looks Like

high-archy (visual cue: resembles 'high' + 'archy')

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Remember This

From Greek hierarkhía, meaning 'rule of sacred rulers' (hieros = sacred, arkhos = ruler).

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Other Forms

hierarchizeverb

hierarchicaladjective

hierarchicallyadverb

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Connect With

authority, ranking, chain of command, order, stratification

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Note

A hierarchy is about a structured ladder of authority. Be careful not to confuse it with anarchy (no governing structure) or monarchy (rule by a single person).

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Study Deeper

Examples

The corporate hierarchy places the CEO at the top, followed by senior executives and managers.
Maslow's hierarchy of needs explains how people prioritize basic needs before pursuing higher goals.

Synonyms

rankingordergradationchain of commandpecking order

Antonyms

egalitarianismequalityanarchy

Etymology

From Greek hierarkhía, from hieros 'sacred' + arkhos 'ruler'. The term originally referred to rule by sacred figures and later to any organized system of ranks.

Mnemonic

Higher archy: picture a tall arch over a line of people; the higher the arch, the higher the rank—remember that hierarchy is a system of ranked authority.

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Flourish

verb

To grow, develop, or thrive; to be successful or prosperous.

Divulge

verb

To reveal or make known something that was previously secret or private.

Furtive

adjective

Secretive and stealthy, avoiding notice or attention, especially to conceal wrongdoing or achieve a goal.

Similar Words

Related words and words with the same part of speech.

Abasement

noun

The act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.

Absurdity

noun

The quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.

Accent

noun

A distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).

Accolade

noun

An honor; a public expression of praise or an award.

Acrimony

noun

Bitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling

Acronym

noun

A word formed from the initial letters of a phrase, pronounced as a single word and used as a shorthand for the full name (for example, NASA or radar).

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