Diode Transistor Logic, used in computers before TTL was developed.
Diode multiplexers on a keyboard matrix.
Google "Synchronous Rectifier", and you will see how the sloppy switching of a rectifier is replaced with a MOSFET for greater efficiency.
There's a thread on DIYAudio about building a synchronous bridge using a control chip.
Not only is a rectifier a switch, its switching can be improved by using a MOSFET to do the switching.