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

hierarchically

ˌhī-(ə-)ˈrär-ki-k(ə-)lē

also hir-ˈär-

adverb

Examples of hierarchical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

The United States appears to hold an edge here: whereas the U.S. military provides lower-level officers considerable autonomy to make quick, adaptive decisions on the battlefield, the PLA maintains a highly bureaucratic culture and deeply hierarchical command structure. —

Sam Bresnick, Foreign Affairs, 31 Dec. 2024 This effect is stronger in organizations with strong hierarchical cultures. —

Zhe Zhang shuili Du, Harvard Business Review, 31 Oct. 2024 My husband was accepted to Berkeley but ultimately chose San Francisco State because of its writing program — the system was less hierarchical then, and movement between campuses was more frequent. —

Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024 These skills are critical as employees navigate less hierarchical structures. —

Chris Westfall, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hierarchical