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
Recent Examples on the Web
More than 150 years ago, a San Francisco whaler noticed something about killer whales that scientists may be about to formally recognize — at least in name.
—
Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024
He has been noted not to be a boss in name only, but someone who actively participates in the day-to-day running of A-1 Auto Transport.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 26 Jan. 2024
Biden's only remaining competitor in name in Tuesday's primary was U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., who was not expected to reach the 15% threshold to receive any delegates.
—Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 28 Feb. 2024
What the Galaxy lacked in name recognition on Sunday night was more than made up for by their youthful vitality.
—Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024
The hollowing out of democratic institutions pushes India closer and closer to becoming a democracy only in name and an electoral autocracy in practice.
—Ramachandra Guha, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
Authorities believe the syndicate received remittances from India in name of exporting electronic devices, diamonds, gems and precious metals, Ip said.
—Kanis Leung, Quartz, 16 Feb. 2024
In this manner, old democracies can be slowly transformed into a democracy in name only, succeeding only in obstructing the democratic will of the majority of the electorate.
—Ronn Pineo, Baltimore Sun, 2 Jan. 2024
In many ways, Tool are a rock band in name only — some of their songs are more like compositions, and their shows are definitely intended to be full sensory experiences, transcendence-seeking in group settings, than traditional rock-out concerts.
—Katherine Turman, Variety, 15 Jan. 2024
Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024
He has been noted not to be a boss in name only, but someone who actively participates in the day-to-day running of A-1 Auto Transport.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 26 Jan. 2024
Biden's only remaining competitor in name in Tuesday's primary was U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., who was not expected to reach the 15% threshold to receive any delegates.
—Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 28 Feb. 2024
What the Galaxy lacked in name recognition on Sunday night was more than made up for by their youthful vitality.
—Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024
The hollowing out of democratic institutions pushes India closer and closer to becoming a democracy only in name and an electoral autocracy in practice.
—Ramachandra Guha, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
Authorities believe the syndicate received remittances from India in name of exporting electronic devices, diamonds, gems and precious metals, Ip said.
—Kanis Leung, Quartz, 16 Feb. 2024
In this manner, old democracies can be slowly transformed into a democracy in name only, succeeding only in obstructing the democratic will of the majority of the electorate.
—Ronn Pineo, Baltimore Sun, 2 Jan. 2024
In many ways, Tool are a rock band in name only — some of their songs are more like compositions, and their shows are definitely intended to be full sensory experiences, transcendence-seeking in group settings, than traditional rock-out concerts.
—Katherine Turman, Variety, 15 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'in name.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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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 Apr. 2024.
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