Definition

Adjective: 1. Relating to or arranged in a hierarchy: Pertaining to a system in which people or things are ranked one above the other according to status, authority, or importance. It describes a structure organized into successive levels or layers.

Usage

The adjective "hierarchal" is used to describe systems, organizations, societies, or sets of values that are structured with multiple, ordered levels. It emphasizes the ranked, tiered nature of the subject. - It is often used interchangeably with the more common form "hierarchical." - It typically modifies nouns like structure, system, organization, order, or society.

Examples

• The company's hierarchal management structure made decision-making slow.
• Many traditional societies have a hierarchal social order.
• The data was organized in a strict hierarchal format, from general categories to specific details.

Advanced Usage

• "hierarchal set of values": A personal or cultural system of beliefs or principles organized in order of importance.
  • In his hierarchal set of values, family loyalty comes before professional ambition.

Variants and Related Words

• Hierarchical (adj): The more frequently used variant with the same meaning.
  • The military has a clear hierarchical chain of command.
• Hierarchy (n): The system or organization itself.
  • She moved up the corporate hierarchy quickly.

Synonyms

• Stratified: Arranged in layers or strata.
• Graded: Arranged in steps or levels.
• Ranked: Placed in an order of merit or status.

Antonyms

• Egalitarian: Believing in or based on the principle that all people are equal.
• Flat: Having a structure with few or no levels of management.
• Unstructured: Lacking a clear or organized system.

Adjective

1. classified according to various criteria into successive levels or layers
   • it has been said that only a hierarchical society with a leisure class at the top can produce works of art
   • in her hierarchical set of values honesty comes first