closing ranks

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But as transparency demands mount on multiple fronts, he is increasingly seen as closing ranks, often defending the very systems he once railed against and unsettling his previously steadfast base of supporters.

From Salon • Nov. 15, 2025

However, the moment the democracy debate becomes externalized, many Indians become irritated and end up closing ranks against “outsiders.”

From Washington Post • Apr. 20, 2023

In a filmed statement released on Wednesday, the elderly Mirghani rejected a hasty agreement and foreign intervention in the political crisis, and assigned Jaafer with closing ranks in the party as his deputy.

From Reuters • Nov. 21, 2022

And he accused the party of closing ranks and attempting to discredit the victim in order to limit the damage that was caused, rather than genuinely attempting to tackle the issues that had been raised.

From BBC • Jun. 23, 2022

With difficulty I mounted my horse, and escaped from the closing ranks of my persecutors.

From Tales and Novels — Volume 04 by Edgeworth, Maria