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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Recent Examples of rank and file
The automaker spent much of the year undoing decisions made by the previous CEO, Carlos Tavares, who resigned at the end of 2024, as stakeholders in the company — from dealers to union rank and file — were upset with him and unhappy with his leadership.
—
Liam Rappleye, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Both discharge petitions already have the endorsement of more than 10 Republicans — an extraordinary demonstration of unrest among the GOP rank and file.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2025
There are reportedly conversations among rank and file senators to try to reach -- to negotiate the reopening of the government for a few weeks.
—Kendall Wright, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
Those unions’ rank and file, increasingly, see Democrats as cultural elitists who look down on them and want to replace their jobs.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rank and file
Liam Rappleye, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Both discharge petitions already have the endorsement of more than 10 Republicans — an extraordinary demonstration of unrest among the GOP rank and file.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2025
There are reportedly conversations among rank and file senators to try to reach -- to negotiate the reopening of the government for a few weeks.
—Kendall Wright, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
Those unions’ rank and file, increasingly, see Democrats as cultural elitists who look down on them and want to replace their jobs.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rank and file
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rank and file
Noun
-
The truth is, the Anthropic drama was a rare glimpse into the relationship between the DOD and Silicon Valley, which proponents of AI safety have pointed out shows how little insight the American public gets into the world of defense tech.—
Lorena O’Neil,
Rolling Stone,
18 Mar. 2026
-
But by 2013, Blackstone took Hilton public and made a $14 billion profit, still considered one of the best PE returns in the industry.—
Luisa Beltran,
Sportico.com,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The seeming absoluteness of scientific thinking may predispose many medical practitioners or public health workers to assume the populace trust them, that evidential claims naturally validate interventions — no further Q&A needed.—
Cory Anderson,
STAT,
6 Mar. 2026
-
That combination makes for a happy society and ensures a populace that drives a productive economy for years to come.—
Alexis Akwagyiram,
semafor.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Filled with Chesterfield sofas set on a leafy terrace, the more laid-back, brasserie-style Garden terrace is popular with a local Finnish crowd who prefer to dress down for dinner.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Spring Break 2026 is in full swing as crowds of students and travelers flock to Fort Lauderdale beach.—
Michele Eve Sandberg,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The rate of fusion depends on the star’s core temperature, which depends on, yup, its mass.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
20 Mar. 2026
-
After its fire-bombing, Tokyo founded a bevy of symphony orchestras as a phenomenal experiment in mass antidepression.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The crowd flocked to the stage as the session ended, gathering into a mob-like cluster to snap photos or grab a quick word with the California governor.—
Faith Bugenhagen,
Austin American Statesman,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The Green Berets left the Haitian military and police in charge, but only with enough weapons to defend themselves from the angry mob outside.—
Will Croxton,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rank and file.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank%20and%20file. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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