hierarchical
adjective
hi·er·ar·chi·cal
ˌhī-(ə-)ˈrär-ki-kəl 
also hir-ˈär-
variants
or hierarchic
ˌhī-(ə-)ˈrär-kik
also hir-ˈär-
: of, relating to, or arranged in a hierarchy
a hierarchical society
a hierarchical order in the church
Examples of hierarchical in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Eastern chimpanzees tend to be more aggressive, live in bigger groups and have more hierarchical societies than the more egalitarian western chimpanzees.
—
Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2025
At the last conclave in 2013, the order of the procession began with the cross, choir, prelates and the secretary of the conclave, before the cardinals entered two by two in the reverse order of their hierarchical precedence (deacons, priests, then bishops).
—Nbc News, NBC news, 7 May 2025
The cardinals will enter the Sistine Chapel in reverse order of their hierarchical precedence.
—Maria Pasquini, People.com, 7 May 2025
Bar is an establishment man, the product of a hierarchical organization built on anonymity and loyalty to the state.
—Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hierarchical
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Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2025
At the last conclave in 2013, the order of the procession began with the cross, choir, prelates and the secretary of the conclave, before the cardinals entered two by two in the reverse order of their hierarchical precedence (deacons, priests, then bishops).
—Nbc News, NBC news, 7 May 2025
The cardinals will enter the Sistine Chapel in reverse order of their hierarchical precedence.
—Maria Pasquini, People.com, 7 May 2025
Bar is an establishment man, the product of a hierarchical organization built on anonymity and loyalty to the state.
—Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hierarchical
Cite this Entry
“Hierarchical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hierarchical. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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hierarchical
adjective
hi·er·ar·chi·cal
ˌhī-(ə-)ˈrär-ki-kəl
variants
or hierarchic
: of, relating to, or arranged in a hierarchy
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