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
-
In Weill’s opinion, composers educated in the classical tradition had lost touch with the broader public and sunk into obscurantism.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Given the isolationist tendencies of the U.S. public and Congress in the pre-war years—best exemplified by passage of the neutrality laws in the mid 1930s—Roosevelt’s ability to counter the economic autarky and expansionist aims of fascist Germany, Italy, and Japan was severely limited.—
Time,
Time,
12 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
-
Given the buzz, Glory owner and co-head coach Keke Blackmon has no idea how big of a crowd to expect Saturday.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2025
-
It’s expected the A’s will draw near-capacity crowds for the bulk of their games, particularly in series against popular teams like the Cubs, New York Yankees and the Giants.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The Kansas City Star 816-234-4431 Eric Adler, at The Star since 1985, has the luxury of writing about any topic or anyone, focusing on in-depth stories about people at both the center and on the fringes of the news.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
15 Apr. 2025
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The new initiative also underscores Coach’s grounding purpose, the Courage to Be Real, a platform created to inspire people to confidently explore all the facets of their identity.—
Mecca Pryor,
Essence,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The crew took the first X-ray in space, performed exercise studies to maintain muscle and skeletal mass and grew mushrooms in microgravity, the company said.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Jenkins experienced the power of Fred Rogers’ mass audience almost immediately.—
Gayle F. Wald,
Smithsonian Magazine,
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 19 Apr. 2025.
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