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
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
Faced with the union’s demand of 40%, Boeing offered 25% (an amount originally accepted by IAM leadership) which was turned down almost unanimously by rank and file.
—Jerrold Lundquist, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rank and file 
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
Faced with the union’s demand of 40%, Boeing offered 25% (an amount originally accepted by IAM leadership) which was turned down almost unanimously by rank and file.
—Jerrold Lundquist, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rank and file
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rank and file
Noun
-
Our team of editors work with these experts to share their knowledge with the wider public.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
31 Jan. 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.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
Fox News,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
In the Eaton Fire zone, Latinos represent 27% of the populace but 35% of workers.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA TODAY,
29 Jan. 2025
-
Much to the amazement of the local populace, the eggs kept popping out—until it was discovered that the owner was writing the words and reinserting the eggs into the hapless hen’s cloaca.—
Arthur Krystal,
The New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The celebrations went south when a car drove into a crowd of people and injured three pedestrians.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
27 Jan. 2025
-
Three people were injured after a car hit a crowd of people who were leaving the NFC playoff on Sunday night, police said.—
Joel Thayer,
Newsweek,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The Academy, along with its MusiCares organization, launched the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort to raise money for people in the music industry who were affected by the fires, raising and pledging more than $4 million so far.—
Tiffany Kelly,
EW.com,
3 Feb. 2025
-
Yoni Barrios, 34, pleaded guilty but mentally ill to murder and terrorism charges as part of a deal with prosecutors to avoid the death penalty for a series of stabbings on the Las Vegas Strip that left two people dead and six injured.—
Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports,
arkansasonline.com,
2 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
This comes amid the Trump administration's mass deportation efforts — with officials admitting that higher deportation numbers is the goal rather than the removal of violent migrants in the country illegally.—
Landon Mion,
Fox News,
3 Feb. 2025
-
Regardless, victims of the racist mass text campaign across the country still have a lot of unanswered questions.—
Jenna McLaughlin,
NPR,
2 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Bening will play Priscilla, a dangerous mob leader.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
29 Jan. 2025
-
Salvini’s call was accompanied by mob violence, mass evictions and demolition of Roma informal camps set up in the streets.—
Ronald Niezen,
The Conversation,
29 Jan. 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 9 Feb. 2025.
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