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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of rank and file
There has been friction between the incoming rank and file DOGE staff and Ramaswamy, the sources said, and Ramaswamy has been subtly encouraged to exit.
—
Jay Peters, The Verge, 20 Jan. 2025
Williams regularly berated the militia’s rank and file.
—Joshua Kaplan, ProPublica, 4 Jan. 2025
All day, rank and file Republicans — and even committee chairs — grumbled about the process -- and the policy.
—Hans Nichols, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for rank and file
Jay Peters, The Verge, 20 Jan. 2025
Williams regularly berated the militia’s rank and file.
—Joshua Kaplan, ProPublica, 4 Jan. 2025
All day, rank and file Republicans — and even committee chairs — grumbled about the process -- and the policy.
—Hans Nichols, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for rank and file
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rank and file
Noun
-
Even so, Antoine’s theories haven’t proved appealing to today’s more informed and educated public.—
Emilien Hofman (Tr. Elettra Pauletto),
The Dial,
20 Mar. 2025
-
While federal officials continue to remind Americans that air travel is as safe as it’s ever been, a series of recent catastrophes and incidents has spooked the flying public.—
Jay Blackman,
NBC News,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
For the eighth year in a row, Finland takes first place as the home of the planet’s happiest populace.—
Sandra MacGregor,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
-
This was preventable; with better, smarter leadership along with a populace that rewarded leadership for being proper stewards of the community and its assets.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
And in Sunday’s unique atmosphere, embracing the moment in front of a vocal crowd of Yomiuri Giants supporters.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2025
-
Serena Williams’ former coach Patrick Mouratoglou broke the mould by creating the Ultimate Tennis Showdown, a funky format with an immersive set-up designed to create crowd interaction that dances to the tune of the digital age.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
During 9/11, people walked down the stairs in single file and held the door open for each other.—
Rascal Kemble-Curry,
New York Daily News,
22 Mar. 2025
-
And people are likely right that my joints would be happier there.—
Elizabeth Medeiros,
Health,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
However, these devices have struggled to break into the mass market.—
Tim Bajarin,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
-
William and his assistants were nonetheless able to build solid pillars of data, mass death broken down into discrete numerals to represent sexes, ages, locations, seasons, years, and causes of mortality, which included starvation, scurvy, dysentery, cholera, typhus, and relapsing fever.—
Fintan O'Toole,
The New Yorker,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
There was no screeching mob at the airport on Wednesday night, just a handful of curious onlookers and a pack of stray dogs in the parking lot.—
Pablo Maurer,
The Athletic,
13 Mar. 2025
-
In 1835, an anti-abolition mob raided the Charleston, South Carolina, post office and, with the help of the city postmaster, burned bundles of abolitionist newspapers.—
Sarah Prager,
JSTOR Daily,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rank and file.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank%20and%20file. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share