in name

phrase

—used with a following statement to say that something is so by name or title but that is not the way things really are

The Emperor rules in name but not in fact.

She's my boss in name, but we're really more like partners.

Examples of in name in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Senra’s show is still autotelic, just in practice and not in name. — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 5 July 2026

At the center of both state officials’ and industry leaders’ concerns is the hospital provider tax, which — despite the title — was supposed to be a tax in name only. — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2026

This month marks six months since a ceasefire came into effect in Gaza, a pause that aid organizations say exists in name only. — Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026

Former Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner, who led the Jackets to their most recent NCAA Tournament appearance and ACC Tournament title in 2021 (two years before he was fired) — attributes part of that to Tech’s reluctance to spend in name, image and likeness (NIL). — Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 6 Apr. 2026

Rhymes for in name

• acclaim
• aflame
• airframe
• ballgame
• became
• declaim
• defame
• disclaim
• doorframe
• exclaim
• inflame
• mainframe