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
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
In the week since Israel began its full assault in late September, the group’s leadership and rank and file had been decimated by successive military operations.
—Maha Yahya, Foreign Affairs, 20 Nov. 2024
Yet despite Trump’s strong support among the Senate’s rank and file, Hegseth still might be in trouble.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 4 Dec. 2024
This is the case with most labor unions: The Democrats portray themselves as the party of organized labor, yet the majority of rank and file is in Trump's camp, even as the national leadership continues to endorse the Democratic candidate.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rank and file
Allison Morrow, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024
In the week since Israel began its full assault in late September, the group’s leadership and rank and file had been decimated by successive military operations.
—Maha Yahya, Foreign Affairs, 20 Nov. 2024
Yet despite Trump’s strong support among the Senate’s rank and file, Hegseth still might be in trouble.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 4 Dec. 2024
This is the case with most labor unions: The Democrats portray themselves as the party of organized labor, yet the majority of rank and file is in Trump's camp, even as the national leadership continues to endorse the Democratic candidate.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rank and file
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rank and file
Noun
-
Ultimately, scientists say the American public will pay a price for the drastic funding cuts.—
Alice Park,
TIME,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Checkpoint operations include brief immigration inspections that are minimally intrusive to the traveling public.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Construed as a pedagogical exercise more than entertainment, the film offers a deep reading into the complicated plurality of the populace that constitutes nations such as Germany.—
Ritesh Mehta,
IndieWire,
15 Feb. 2025
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Big questions remain about whether interventions that correct political meta-misperceptions can have lasting effects, or whether reducing polarization among the American populace is even enough when so many threats to democracy come from elites intent on sowing division.—
Michael Pasek,
The Conversation,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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But Trump’s potential move — described to a crowd that included Musk; Eric Schmidt, formerly of Google; and Michael Klein, the deal-maker mogul — raises questions about the president’s economic priorities.—
Andrew Ross Sorkin,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2025
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Guaranteed to satisfy a crowd after a long day's work (on or off the ranch), this one-dish supper is easy to make and keep in the freezer to save suppertime.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The change is aimed at easing administrative burdens and improving accessibility to services for people who need help with both substance use and mental health, according to Pritzker’s office and advocates.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2025
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Some research shows that intermittent fasting may not be appropriate for people with diabetes and eating disorders.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Colin Gray has pleaded innocent to 29 counts, including two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the Sept. 4 mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
14 Feb. 2025
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Oliver, 57, and his wife founded a nonprofit called Change the Ref, which seeks to increase awareness of mass shootings and influence the social response to them.—
Jorge L. Ortiz,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Following months of lies asserted by Trump and others about his loss, a mob of people stormed the building to disrupt the certification of the 2020 presidential election.—
Seth Klamann,
The Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2025
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Indeed, some murders by mobs at the height of lynch law would include the wives and children of those accused.—
Liz Tracey,
JSTOR Daily,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rank and file.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank%20and%20file. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
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