fait accompli

noun

fait ac·​com·​pli ˈfā-tə-ˌkäm-ˈplē 

ˈfe-,

ˈfe-ˌta- 

-ˌkōⁿ(m)-,

 British usually  -ˈkäm-(ˌ)plē

plural faits accomplis ˈfā-tə-ˌkäm-ˈplē(z) 

ˈfe-,

ˈfe-ˌta-,

-ˌkōⁿ(m)-,

 British usually  -ˈkäm-(ˌ)plē(z)

: a thing accomplished and presumably irreversible

he charged that the members were presented with a fait accompli instead of being called to a meeting to discuss the policy change

—Daniel Thomases

Examples of fait accompli in a Sentence

By the time we learned about the decision, it was already a fait accompli.

Recent Examples on the Web

The countries now recognizing a Palestinian state and publicly committing themselves to the prospect are rejecting that premise and denying the settler right’s attempt at a fait accompli. —Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2025

This week’s recognitions are a fait accompli. —Shira Efron, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2025

With no safety back on the zero blitz, the outcome was a fait accompli as soon as the ball left Stafford’s hands. —Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025

These facts will not escape the Fed’s notice, so a September rate cut is now a fait accompli following the release of the monthly payrolls report last week. —Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, accomplished fact

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above