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
President Trump benefited from the enthusiasm that people like Bongino and Bondi were able to generate among MAGA’s rank and file.
—
Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 17 July 2025
Weiner concludes his book by expressing his faith in the agency’s rank and file, but with a clear sense of foreboding.
—Keith Gessen, New Yorker, 16 July 2025
Since the election, he's made overtures to try to start on the right foot, including by holding early meetings with caucus leaders and some rank and file.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
And our rank and file members enable us to fight for them day in and day out.
—CBS News, 1 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rank and file
Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 17 July 2025
Weiner concludes his book by expressing his faith in the agency’s rank and file, but with a clear sense of foreboding.
—Keith Gessen, New Yorker, 16 July 2025
Since the election, he's made overtures to try to start on the right foot, including by holding early meetings with caucus leaders and some rank and file.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
And our rank and file members enable us to fight for them day in and day out.
—CBS News, 1 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rank and file
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rank and file
Noun
-
Gallego urged the traveling public to be kind to airport workers.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
While his core supporters remain loyal, sustained disapproval among the broader public could weaken his leverage in negotiations with Congress and erode confidence in his leadership.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As a result, their popularity is reflective of political and national sympathies among the populace in Mary’s time.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Sep. 2025
-
This willingness of the AI to heap praise and act as a sycophant has worrying consequences for the populace as a whole.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Arsenal kept the ball for another minute and quietened the home crowd to get a better feel for the game.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The unconventional thriller played like gangbusters to the buzzing New York crowd.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The mass infections and mass deaths, however, are conspicuously missing.—
Yangyang Cheng,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
-
High-profile mass shootings continue to rock the city.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There would be accusations of race manipulation, an online mob discrediting Wallace’s win as undeserved, and an angry Joe Gibbs Racing organization, which would now realize Hamlin puts another team’s interests ahead of their own.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Trump first began suggesting Wray should be be investigated by the Justice Department after the conservative outlet The Blaze, citing an unidentified congressional source, reported last week that 274 FBI agents had been embedded in the pro-Trump mob that stormed the Capitol.—
Alexander Mallin,
ABC News,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rank and file.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank%20and%20file. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share