as in public
the body of the community as contrasted with the elite
the chosen few might have the opportunity for a trip in the space shuttle, but it will be a while before the rank and file are taking space trips
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rank and file
According to the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, ABC’s rank and file are furious over the settlement, which was recommended by the general counsel of the network’s parent company and signed off on by Iger.
—
Allison Morrow, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024
In the week since Israel began its full assault in late September, the group’s leadership and rank and file had been decimated by successive military operations.
—Maha Yahya, Foreign Affairs, 20 Nov. 2024
Yet despite Trump’s strong support among the Senate’s rank and file, Hegseth still might be in trouble.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 4 Dec. 2024
This is the case with most labor unions: The Democrats portray themselves as the party of organized labor, yet the majority of rank and file is in Trump's camp, even as the national leadership continues to endorse the Democratic candidate.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rank and file 
Allison Morrow, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024
In the week since Israel began its full assault in late September, the group’s leadership and rank and file had been decimated by successive military operations.
—Maha Yahya, Foreign Affairs, 20 Nov. 2024
Yet despite Trump’s strong support among the Senate’s rank and file, Hegseth still might be in trouble.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 4 Dec. 2024
This is the case with most labor unions: The Democrats portray themselves as the party of organized labor, yet the majority of rank and file is in Trump's camp, even as the national leadership continues to endorse the Democratic candidate.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rank and file
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rank and file
Noun
-
Ultimately, scientists say the American public will pay a price for the drastic funding cuts.—
Alice Park,
TIME,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Checkpoint operations include brief immigration inspections that are minimally intrusive to the traveling public.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The state engages in systematic efforts to spread war fever by infecting the populace with the big lies of propaganda.—
Karen Parker Lears,
Harper's Magazine,
2 Dec. 2024
-
In the Eaton Fire zone, Latinos represent 27% of the populace but 35% of workers.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA TODAY,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
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With Philly fans in town, that just might be literal: the Big Easy might have to count their Romeo catchers when big game crowds go home.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
8 Feb. 2025
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Playing at Tsongas Center on the campus of UMass Lowell, the Boston Fleet drew a sellout crowd of 5,912 for their last home game before the break on Jan. 31, and have seen their average attendance rise by about 400 fans this season, to just over 4,000.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The change is aimed at easing administrative burdens and improving accessibility to services for people who need help with both substance use and mental health, according to Pritzker’s office and advocates.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2025
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President Trump has listened to the American people and made clear women's and girls' sports should be for women and girls.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Oliver, 57, and his wife founded a nonprofit called Change the Ref, which seeks to increase awareness of mass shootings and influence the social response to them.—
Jorge L. Ortiz,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
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In another step, researchers used a gas chromatograph and a mass spectrometer to identify the origins of each scent.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Also starring Christina Ricci (Yellowjackets), Luis Guzmán (Wednesday), and Melissa Leo (The Fighter), Guns Up follows Ray Hayes (James), an ex-cop and devoted husband and father who leads a dangerous double life as a mob henchman.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2025
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The reason why a small army of goons has suddenly reappeared in his life is Rose (Ariana DeBose, another Oscar winner), a former mob lawyer who worked for Marvin’s kingpin brother, Alvin a.k.a.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near rank and file
Cite this Entry
“Rank and file.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank%20and%20file. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.
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