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
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
-
That dynamic places responsibility squarely on us, the voting public.—
Les Rubin,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Those days are gone, and now the compact crossover has largely replaced luxury compact sedans, but there are several compact sedans still soldiering on, for the betterment of the motoring public.—
Kyle Hyatt,
Robb Report,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
The announcers need to study intensely, learning details not only about an athlete, but what a particular sport means to the populace of a country halfway around the world.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There are still moments of showy technical prowess (including crowd scenes where thousands of butterflies fly across the screen at one time), but the film’s rounded and adorable character designs for its animals prove refreshingly simple.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Just over a year ago, the city also reopened Sixth Street to vehicle traffic on weekends, reversing years of street closures that had been put in place to accommodate heavy nightlife crowds.—
Alex Driggars,
Austin American Statesman,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Economists and investors have long been worried for years that AI adoption could result in mass layoffs.—
Auzinea Bacon,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Specifically, Anthropic refuses to allow its models to be used for the mass surveillance of Americans.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The cops were there in response to 911 calls about a disorderly mob of adult idiots behaving like unruly 7-year-olds.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Recent Mexican history is riddled with the tales of once-powerful syndicates — gangs in Guadalajara, Tijuana and Ciudad Juárez, among them — that ruptured, were gobbled up by other mobs or petered out as the big guys were captured or killed.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rank and file.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank%20and%20file. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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