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

Whether is to be or not to be an Oscar contender seems a fait accompli. —Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2025

Frick created a fait accompli by filling the offices of the police directorates of Weimar and Gera with his allies. —Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025

In the National League, Ohtani’s victory was a fait accompli. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 14 Nov. 2025

Wallen bowing out of contention might have made that a partial fait accompli, yet Megan Moroney, Ella Langley and Zach Top — all of whom have a major look going into this month’s CMA Awards — were all considered major contenders for the best new artist category. —Chris Willman, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, accomplished fact

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above