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
White House spokesman Kush Desai indicated that Fain’s praise puts him in league with his union’s rank and file.
—
Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 31 Mar. 2025
The abrupt move to shutter VOA has shocked its rank and file, but signs of massive change at the agency have been evident for weeks.
—Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 18 Mar. 2025
More recently, he’s publicly called for more rank and file public involvement in government.
—David Jeans, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Speaker Johnson is facing a major test in his effort to rally his rank and file.
3:23
House Republican leaders plan to move forward with a vote on the budget plan Tuesday night despite opposition from at least four Republicans, leaning on President Donald Trump to help convince the holdouts.
—John Parkinson, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rank and file
Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 31 Mar. 2025
The abrupt move to shutter VOA has shocked its rank and file, but signs of massive change at the agency have been evident for weeks.
—Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 18 Mar. 2025
More recently, he’s publicly called for more rank and file public involvement in government.
—David Jeans, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Speaker Johnson is facing a major test in his effort to rally his rank and file.
3:23
House Republican leaders plan to move forward with a vote on the budget plan Tuesday night despite opposition from at least four Republicans, leaning on President Donald Trump to help convince the holdouts.
—John Parkinson, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rank and file
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rank and file
Noun
-
The other good news is that federal wildlife crossing grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation/FHWA are providing vital revenue to help states improve highway safety for the traveling public and the many special creatures who live within our nation.—
Noël Fletcher,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
Meghan Markle will never win over UK public again, author claims Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine and author of My Mother and I, discusses how the Duchess of Sussex isn't going to be welcomed back across the pond anytime soon following her royal exit.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
In this case, the first task is to acquaint the local populace with the new part-owner and his significance before the franchise can capitalize on his worldwide stature in the sport.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
23 May 2025
-
Whether this research method is an adequate representation of the populace at large is an open question.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
These ideas are meant to give CNN viewers something extra in an era when many news executives acknowledge traditional presentations are losing their ability to captivate large crowds.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
27 May 2025
-
Far-right groups promoted a false rumor that the attacker was a migrant, leading to days of race riots that saw crowds of agitators target and attack hotels housing asylum seekers.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
27 May 2025
Noun
-
Research links creativity to happiness and well-being, and a 2021 study found that older people who participated in creative activities showed less cognitive decline than those who did not.—
Elizabeth Passarella,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
-
Why does crime seem more related to places than to people?—
Malcolm Gladwell,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
His legacy—and that of the CIA in South Africa—is written in surveillance files, detention cells, and mass graves.—
Time,
Time,
22 May 2025
-
Treating dogs as child substitutes and seeking out extreme infantile traits in them raises several ethical concerns that have led to the mass breeding of some unhealthy traits over time.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
In a further sign that Hamas, which has been controlling the flow of food and supplies, is losing its grip, a mob broke into a warehouse in central Gaza to take flour.—
The Editors,
National Review,
29 May 2025
-
El-Amin’s uncle, Dennis Hubert, was an 18-year-old Black divinity student in 1930 when a mob of seven White men lynched him on the playground of an Atlanta school.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rank and file.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank%20and%20file. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share