nonhierarchical
adjective
non·hi·er·ar·chi·cal ˌnän-ˌhī-(ə-)ˈrär-ki-kəl 
also -hir-ˈär-
: not hierarchical
especially : not divided into, organized by, or involving different levels of importance or status
a nonhierarchical organization/structure
All great groups have extraordinary leaders. It's a paradox, really, because great groups tend to be collegial and nonhierarchical, peopled by singularly competent individuals who often have an anti-authoritarian streak. 
Warren Bennis and Patricia Ward Biederman
Warren Bennis and Patricia Ward Biederman nonhierarchically
ˌnän-ˌhī-(ə-)ˈrär-ki-k(ə-)lē
adverb also -hir-ˈär-
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The Davids demolish the Hobbesian narrative by pointing to complex, agricultural societies—in Asia, the Middle East and the Americas—that governed themselves in nonhierarchical ways. John Horgan, Scientific American, 28 Feb. 2022 And Govan’s vision for the new LACMA — a nonhierarchical, decentralized museum showing rotating installations of the permanent collections along with art at satellite locations — has been nothing if not divisive. Deborah Vankin Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2021 In March 1982 these activists, primarily progressive Catholics and Protestants, publicly established the Sanctuary Movement, which became a nonhierarchical network of hundreds of congregations across the country. Rafil Kroll-zaidi, The New York Review of Books, 19 Nov. 2020 In March 1982 these activists, primarily progressive Catholics and Protestants, publicly established the Sanctuary Movement, which became a nonhierarchical network of hundreds of congregations across the country. Rafil Kroll-zaidi, The New York Review of Books, 19 Nov. 2020 In March 1982 these activists, primarily progressive Catholics and Protestants, publicly established the Sanctuary Movement, which became a nonhierarchical network of hundreds of congregations across the country. Rafil Kroll-zaidi, The New York Review of Books, 19 Nov. 2020 They're attracted by the high-tech facilities and opportunities for research; the easy, nonhierarchical interaction between faculty and students; and the open, social environment on campuses. Jon Younger, Forbes, 3 June 2021 The following six principles serve as building blocks for establishing a nonhierarchical organization. Elizabeth Talerman, Forbes, 6 Apr. 2021 Establish a nonhierarchical team structure rooted in responsibility and respect. Elizabeth Talerman, Forbes, 6 Apr. 2021 See More
John Horgan, Scientific American, 28 Feb. 2022 And Govan’s vision for the new LACMA — a nonhierarchical, decentralized museum showing rotating installations of the permanent collections along with art at satellite locations — has been nothing if not divisive. Deborah Vankin Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2021 In March 1982 these activists, primarily progressive Catholics and Protestants, publicly established the Sanctuary Movement, which became a nonhierarchical network of hundreds of congregations across the country. Rafil Kroll-zaidi, The New York Review of Books, 19 Nov. 2020 In March 1982 these activists, primarily progressive Catholics and Protestants, publicly established the Sanctuary Movement, which became a nonhierarchical network of hundreds of congregations across the country. Rafil Kroll-zaidi, The New York Review of Books, 19 Nov. 2020 In March 1982 these activists, primarily progressive Catholics and Protestants, publicly established the Sanctuary Movement, which became a nonhierarchical network of hundreds of congregations across the country. Rafil Kroll-zaidi, The New York Review of Books, 19 Nov. 2020 They're attracted by the high-tech facilities and opportunities for research; the easy, nonhierarchical interaction between faculty and students; and the open, social environment on campuses. Jon Younger, Forbes, 3 June 2021 The following six principles serve as building blocks for establishing a nonhierarchical organization. Elizabeth Talerman, Forbes, 6 Apr. 2021 Establish a nonhierarchical team structure rooted in responsibility and respect. Elizabeth Talerman, Forbes, 6 Apr. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1910, in the meaning defined above