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
City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez is among those who say that some of the money used for Hagerty would have been better spent bolstering the Emergency Management Department’s rank and file — as Parks had requested last year.
—
Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025
My only recourse was appealing my case to the union’s rank and file.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 May 2025
The city’s transit supervisors are set to vote against the MTA rank and file in the upcoming primary for Gotham’s comptroller.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 2 May 2025
Gingrich relished partisan warfare, demanded loyalty from his rank and file, and turned district elections into contests between the national parties.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rank and file
Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025
My only recourse was appealing my case to the union’s rank and file.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 May 2025
The city’s transit supervisors are set to vote against the MTA rank and file in the upcoming primary for Gotham’s comptroller.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 2 May 2025
Gingrich relished partisan warfare, demanded loyalty from his rank and file, and turned district elections into contests between the national parties.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rank and file
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rank and file
Noun
-
Carlyle took United Defense public in 2001 and fully exited in 2004, making more than $1 billion in profit.—
Luisa Beltran,
Fortune,
3 July 2025
-
The victim was identified through genealogy, and the coroner’s office is waiting on a final report from a private lab before making his ID public, Jellison said.—
Jake Allen,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Even before the expiration of the war's longest ceasefire in March, Trump has repeatedly issued dramatic ultimatums to pressure Hamas to agree to longer pauses in the fighting that would see the release of more hostages and a return of more aid to Gaza's civilian populace.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 July 2025
-
The 2020 Pew study found that Reform Jews are 37% of the American Jewish populace, followed by Jews that claim no particular branch — 32% —and then Conservatives at 17% .—
Michael Weissenstein,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Just jump on a return train for a few minutes back to Rougemont and a world devoid of the larger international crowds that descend upon swanky Gstaad just a few miles up the road.—
John Oseid,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
The Brat star drew one of the weekend’s biggest crowds for her set on the festival’s second-biggest stage; The 1975, Neil Young and Olivia Rodrigo were booked for Pyramid, while Loyle Carner and The Prodigy joined her on the Other.—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
And are people still talking about this guy, this creep?—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 July 2025
-
Statewide, the death toll from the floods has reached at least 95, with 75 people reported dead in Kerr County.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Though the investigation into Melvin Doyle’s weapons sales was not related to the mass shooting, there has been concern among law enforcement about gang retaliation.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
9 July 2025
-
Indeed, Hawaii Island has the unique distinction of continuing to expand, with active volcanoes creating the lava flow necessary to increase its total land mass.—
John Wogan,
Travel + Leisure,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
However, in 1921, white mobs, aided by local officials, set fire to the district, resulting in the deaths of hundreds and the displacement of thousands.—
Jasmine Browley,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
-
Small, hairy hominids emerge — but the twist is that Superman must protect these Mole Men from the prairie mob who want to shoot the outsiders on sight.—
Los Angeles Times Staff,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rank and file.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank%20and%20file. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share