hierarch

noun

hi·​er·​arch ˈhī-(ə-)ˌrärk How to pronounce hierarch (audio)
Synonyms of hierarchnext
1
: a religious leader in a position of authority
2
: a person high in a hierarchy
hierarchal
ˌhī-(ə-)ˈrär-kəl How to pronounce hierarch (audio)
adjective

Examples of hierarch 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.
His speech was criticized in a statement from the Antiochian, Bulgarian, Romanian, and Serbian American Orthodox hierarchs. — Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 24 Mar. 2025 His message on Monday was a confirmation from AI’s hierarch that the disruptors had been disrupted. — Jason Abbruzzese, NBC News, 28 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ierarchis, plural, from Medieval Latin hierarcha, from Greek hierarchēs, from hieros sacred + -archēs -arch

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hierarch was in the 15th century

Rhymes for hierarch

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Browse Nearby Words

hiera picra
hierarch
hierarchical
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Cite this Entry

“Hierarch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hierarch. Accessed 10 May. 2025.

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