in name

idiom

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

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This is not only a board refreshment in name, but in substance as well. Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 12 Apr. 2025 The Cornhuskers claimed $300,000 in name, image and likeness money for its program as well. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025 Weaver wants to give an assist to Illinois schools and entice more recruits to stay home by exempting up to $100,000 in name, image and likeness earnings from the state income tax. Andrew Seligman, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025 But by the 18th century the Republic of Venice was in decline, and some aristocratic families, though still noble in name, had lost much of their wealth and could not afford a substantial dowry. Manuela Callari, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for in name

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Cite this Entry

“In name.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20name. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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