as in masses
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rank and files
Noun
-
European publics are less diplomatic.—
Ivan Krastev,
Time,
21 Jan. 2026 -
National and international publics relate directly to these leaders, who set the tone for international relations with their actions, their statements, and their preferences.—
MICHAEL KIMMAGE,
Foreign Affairs,
8 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Ramaswamy has been running what looks like a general election campaign, drawing impressive crowds during visits to each of Ohio’s 88 counties.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Sets from upstarts like Creepy Nuts, Pawsa, Geese and Slayyyter, along with emphatic crowds at rock heavyweights like Jack White, Turnstile and even Sombr, traded seamlessness and precision for immediacy and friction — louder, looser, more physical in ways that were best felt than watched.—
Andrea Domanick,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Rank and files.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank%20and%20files. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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