higher-ranking

Meaning

1. 1adjectivenot comparable

   Having a more important position or status than someone else in the same organization or group.

   Grammar: Used before a noun (a higher-ranking officer) or after a linking verb (he is higher-ranking); it already contains a comparison, so do not add 'more'.

   Patterns

   • higher-ranking than someone
   • a higher-ranking official/officer/employee

   Only higher-ranking officers were allowed into the meeting.

   She is higher-ranking than me, so I can't overrule her decision.

   The report was signed by a higher-ranking manager.

Common combinations

higher-ranking official

A higher-ranking official from the ministry visited the school.

higher-ranking officer

The order came from a higher-ranking officer.

higher-ranking position

He left the company for a higher-ranking position elsewhere.

be higher-ranking than

In this department, technicians are higher-ranking than assistants.

Synonyms and how they differ

senior

Very common and often more natural in business English; 'senior' usually suggests longer service or greater authority, while 'higher-ranking' stresses the level in a formal order.

superior

Stronger and more formal; it can sound blunt, and as a noun it means a boss, whereas 'higher-ranking' is only an adjective.

more senior

The usual comparative form of 'senior'; use it instead of 'higher-ranking' when you simply mean someone with more experience or a better title.

Opposites

Word family

rank noun

A position or level within an organization.

ranking noun

A position on a list ordered by importance or success.

rank verb

To place someone or something in order of importance.

Commonly confused: higher-ranking or high-ranking?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “higher-ranking”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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