pecking order

NOUN

hierarchy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

food chain hierarchy power structure social structure

WEAK

chain of command class structure corporate ladder dominance due order echelons grouping line of dominance order placing position ranking scale social hierarchy social ladder social pyramid social stratification

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Between artificial intelligence, the Iran War, and the future of Taiwan, there’s a lot for the United States and China to hash out—not least of which being the pecking order.

From Slate • May 15, 2026

However, he has been restricted to just 19 league appearances this season, including six starts, after falling behind Milos Kerkez in the pecking order.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

The No. 55 draft pick in 2024, Bronny has surpassed Dalton Knecht, the 17th pick in that same draft, in the Lakers’ pecking order.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026

For decades, chicken thighs rated so low in the national pecking order that U.S. poultry producers unloaded much of their dark-meat yield to hungry markets abroad in Russia, Mexico, and across Asia.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

Still, there was a clear pecking order based on this accommodation, and he lorded it over the others.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly

pecking order

Example Sentences

Related Words