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
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
There is some sense that rumblings are growing among the congressional rank and file, though nothing has surfaced yet that seems promising.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Her frustration lies with party leadership, not rank and file legislators whose hands are often tied by higher-ranking lawmakers, Budd told The Charlotte Observer.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rank and file
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
There is some sense that rumblings are growing among the congressional rank and file, though nothing has surfaced yet that seems promising.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Her frustration lies with party leadership, not rank and file legislators whose hands are often tied by higher-ranking lawmakers, Budd told The Charlotte Observer.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rank and file
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rank and file
Noun
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But putting on a tux and celebrating with an administration that is rapidly falling out of step with the global public — which their shareholders are members of — is different from staying silent.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
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But the deadly shootings this month by federal agents of Minneapolis residents Renee Good and Alex Pretti have once again forcefully shifted the administration’s focus onto the highly controversial issues that have divided the American public.—
Brianne Pfannenstiel,
Des Moines Register,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And there’s the rub, because in reality nobody outside is actually or substantially helping defend the populace against the regime’s onslaught.—
Melik Kaylan,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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Our populace is broadly wealthy.—
Marc Novicoff,
The Atlantic,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Patriots owner Robert Kraft attended Monday’s Celtics game and received a rousing ovation from the Garden crowd.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
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What began in Tehran late December in response to the collapse in currency and economic conditions quickly took on a political character -- with crowds on the streets openly calling for regime change.—
Somayeh Malekian,
ABC News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Big Tech continues to wrestle with mass layoffs, most recently with Amazon’s announcement to slash 16,000 jobs.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
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Do mass firings create an atmosphere of fear that impacts voting?—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Two men, who prosecutors said were members of a Russian mob hired by Iran, received 25 year prison terms in October for attempting to kill Alinejad at her Brooklyn home.—
Katrina Kaufman,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
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Another young man, Mashal Khan, a university student and poet, was lynched by a mob of fellow students who accused him of blasphemy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rank and file.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank%20and%20file. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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