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
-
The actual culling is reserved for licensed hunters and local hunting associations, some of whom do it recreationally or as a part-time job.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Of course, the actual plot of Daisy Jones & the Six bears only a passing resemblance to the Fleetwood Mac story.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
This was a golden age for these guys, ten years before Giuliani and any kind of real government crackdown, and a few years after Coppola’s Godfather.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The situation for Ridge Holland, who also uses his real name Luke Menzies, has reportedly worsened.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Headquartered in London, Longwave will focus on factual content for the global TV market across all unscripted genres – from investigative series, factual entertainment formats through to human interest stories.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
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This factual omission extended as well to his professional life.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The interior of the shoe stays true to the brand’s line of classic winter boots, lined with a plush wool blend.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Nov. 2025
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One mailer in particular said that Persson and fellow Democratic candidates wanted to build apartments on 300 acres of green space, which isn’t true, Persson said.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
That makes the very idea of awards in literature filled with landmines.—
Fiction Non Fiction,
Literary Hub,
8 Jan. 2026
-
With nine-figure contracts, record absorption, and buyers choosing condos over even the most coveted co-ops and townhouses, 2025 may be remembered as the year Lower Manhattan fully claimed its place at the very top of New York’s luxury housing market.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“De facto.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de%20facto. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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