: in reality : actually
became the leader de facto
1
: actual
especially
: being such in effect though not formally recognized
Whatever it says on the calendar, Florida has de facto summer. —
E. L. Konigsburg has become the movement's de facto spokesperson
2
: exercising power as if legally constituted
the de facto head of state
3
: resulting from economic or social factors rather than from laws or actions of the state
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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