as in actual
existing in fact and not merely as a possibility
with the death of his father, he became the de facto head of the family
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Recent Examples of de facto
The 16 women who had challenged the status quo, most notably Nancy Hopkins, the reluctant de facto leader, were thrilled but eager to return to their roles as elite scientists.
—
Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2023
The measure received unanimous support in the House and Senate and drew Taiwan’s de facto ambassador in the U.S., Hsiao Bi-khim, to both chambers Thursday.
—Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2023
Beauty Turns Individuals into Communities Beauty salons and barber shops have traditionally played the role of de facto community centers in many places around the world.
—Stephan Rabimov, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023
Pollard only lasted a handful of seasons, and in short order, the NFL erected its own de facto color barrier in 1933, thanks in large part to the efforts of George Preston Marshall, the then-Boston Redskins owner.
—Robert Silverman, Rolling Stone, 12 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for de facto
Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2023
The measure received unanimous support in the House and Senate and drew Taiwan’s de facto ambassador in the U.S., Hsiao Bi-khim, to both chambers Thursday.
—Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2023
Beauty Turns Individuals into Communities Beauty salons and barber shops have traditionally played the role of de facto community centers in many places around the world.
—Stephan Rabimov, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023
Pollard only lasted a handful of seasons, and in short order, the NFL erected its own de facto color barrier in 1933, thanks in large part to the efforts of George Preston Marshall, the then-Boston Redskins owner.
—Robert Silverman, Rolling Stone, 12 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for de facto
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de facto
Adjective
-
August 23 – September 22 A group plan may start working better once someone turns the intention into an actual system.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
23 May 2026
-
The actual thing the founder built rarely matters.—
Harshit Dwivedi,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
Now, there’s a real mixture of guests hanging around the lobby and breakfast room.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 May 2026
-
For audiences, fidelity is often the real sticking point.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
Content that does not fail is content that answers a factual question in a unique manner to how all other websites answer it.—
TerDawn DeBoe,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Such is the nature of the law at work that this or some other factual variation may be the subject of a future ruling – and a future column.—
Dan Eaton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
Rarely were there any true freaks, which was where their sideshow stood out.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Occupying four townhouses, its two-year refurbishment by award-winning architects Holland Harvey and interior designers Studio Est and Studio Mica has created something warm and true to its heritage yet modern, nature-focused and committed to social impact.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
What followed was not just recovery from cancer, but the rebuilding of an immune system erased by the very treatment that saved her life, Sullivan tells PEOPLE.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
-
There was no fireball this time until the very end.—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“De facto.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de%20facto. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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