rank and file

noun

Definition of rank and filenext
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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rank and file
  1. public
  2. populace
  3. crowd
  4. people
  5. mass
  6. mob
Noun
  • While federal officials continue to remind Americans that air travel is as safe as it’s ever been, a series of recent catastrophes and incidents has spooked the flying public.
    — Jay Blackman, NBC News, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Even so, Antoine’s theories haven’t proved appealing to today’s more informed and educated public.
    — Emilien Hofman (Tr. Elettra Pauletto), The Dial, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of public
Noun
  • For the eighth year in a row, Finland takes first place as the home of the planet’s happiest populace.
    — Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • This was preventable; with better, smarter leadership along with a populace that rewarded leadership for being proper stewards of the community and its assets.
    — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of populace
Noun
  • Footage of the building’s demise shows crowds of onlookers running away from the rubble in panic.
    — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 28 Mar. 2025
  • 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
Definition of crowd
Noun
  • In expressing their disbelief, people have been known to run away screaming or even burst into tears while Blaine maintains his deadpan, stoic facade.
    — Jenelle Riley, Variety, 22 Mar. 2025
  • This is a drink that people tend to love—elementally delicious, and yet with enough going on to keep the front of your brain occupied.
    — Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of people
Noun
  • Pandora, which competes in the same mass and accessible jewelry segment as Signet, generated 14% revenue growth in the U.S. last year and experienced 8% same-store sales growth.
    — Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Its cap is a shriveled mass of brown folds, darker than the caramel hue of the true morel.
    — Shayla Love, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of mass
Noun
  • There was no screeching mob at the airport on Wednesday night, just a handful of curious onlookers and a pack of stray dogs in the parking lot.
    — Pablo Maurer, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
  • In 1835, an anti-abolition mob raided the Charleston, South Carolina, post office and, with the help of the city postmaster, burned bundles of abolitionist newspapers.
    — Sarah Prager, JSTOR Daily, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of mob

Browse Nearby Words

rank
rank and file
rank and files
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rank and file.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank%20and%20file. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on rank and file

Nglish: Translation of rank and file for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All