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 has been friction between the incoming rank and file DOGE staff and Ramaswamy, the sources said, and Ramaswamy has been subtly encouraged to exit.
—
Jay Peters, The Verge, 20 Jan. 2025
Williams regularly berated the militia’s rank and file.
—Joshua Kaplan, ProPublica, 4 Jan. 2025
All day, rank and file Republicans — and even committee chairs — grumbled about the process -- and the policy.
—Hans Nichols, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024
According to the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, ABC’s rank and file are furious over the settlement, which was recommended by the general counsel of the network’s parent company and signed off on by Iger.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rank and file
Jay Peters, The Verge, 20 Jan. 2025
Williams regularly berated the militia’s rank and file.
—Joshua Kaplan, ProPublica, 4 Jan. 2025
All day, rank and file Republicans — and even committee chairs — grumbled about the process -- and the policy.
—Hans Nichols, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024
According to the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, ABC’s rank and file are furious over the settlement, which was recommended by the general counsel of the network’s parent company and signed off on by Iger.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rank and file
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rank and file
Noun
-
Given Boeing's past missteps and problems, the flying public deserves to hear what changes are being made to rehabilitate the company's tarnished reputation.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
-
And the mayor has paid a significant price in his public standing for failing to stand up for taxpayers and leaving that job to Martinez, who admirably did so in the face of grossly unfair attacks, with Johnson now polling at lower levels than any mayor of Chicago before him.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In contrast to the anti-immigrant rhetoric emanating from the White House, the survey of 800 California voters portrays a populace that values the contributions of immigrants, regardless of legal status, and believes their well-being is intertwined with a well-functioning state.—
Rebecca Plevin,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2025
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Their exodus leaves behind a populace that, like in the Weimar Republic, dismisses each authoritarian advance as temporary, necessary—or even more astonishing, somehow contained.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
To keep afloat, Arsenal had to qualify for the Champions League three times during that five years and attract a regular crowd of at least 54,000 in their new 60,000 stadium.—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Footage of the building’s demise shows crowds of onlookers running away from the rubble in panic.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
False and misleading narratives on social media, in news reports and even in popular television dramas suggesting people can overdose from touching fentanyl — rather than ingesting it — are now informing public policy and spending decisions.—
Henry Larweh,
NPR,
3 Apr. 2025
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Though probiotics are generally well tolerated, some people have mild side effects, such as bloating or flatulence.5 2.—
Elizabeth Barnes,
Verywell Health,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Trump's announcement of mass tariffs on nearly all U.S. imports on April 2 immediately caused the stock market to free fall, according to a report from NBC News.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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The mass stabbing began at around 3:22 p.m. in the northeast part of the city, near the U.S. National Arboretum and Gallaudet University.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
After Lula took office, a mob of some four thousand Bolsonaro supporters gathered in the same plaza where Wanderley later blew himself up.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2025
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There’s a, well, creepy scene with a mob of Creepers, which are essentially dead-eyed plant creatures.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rank and file.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank%20and%20file. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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