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
-
Since some people recover from listeriosis without medical attention and never get tested, the CDC estimates that the actual number of people ill is probably substantially higher than reported, and that the outbreak may not be restricted to the states shown below.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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For a 2022 trip to Egypt for the COP27 conference, the budget accounted for $90,000 in airfare costs, but actual credit card expenses were at least $200,000.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Will his shooting and floater game give enough offensive jolt to add some real spacing around a roster that, even with Kevin Durant, seems notably deficient in terms of spacing?—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Come for some of the best actresses of our time as power-hungry witches; stay for Stevie Nicks' cameo as a real one.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Off Course was co-commissioned for the BBC by Catherine Catton, head of factual entertainment and events, and Eddie Doyle, head of Northern Ireland commissioning.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
29 Sep. 2025
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May acted as his own attorney at a hearing that included prosecutors showing charts explaining in stark, factual ways what was on each video May is charged with distributing.—
Jeffrey Collins,
Twin Cities,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Watching my great-grandmother, grandmother, mother and aunt serve as loyal members of this sorority shaped my understanding of what true sisterhood and service look like.—
Essence,
Essence,
3 Oct. 2025
-
With markets looking unperturbed, that might turn out true sooner if nothing serious comes in the way of the bulls.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
One of the night’s highlights came at the very end, after the band took their final bows, waved, and left the stage.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
30 Sep. 2025
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His digits, his body, his very skin remind him of Nazis, and of American troops posing with the corpses of Vietnamese victims.—
Rebecca van Laer
September 30,
Literary Hub,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“De facto.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de%20facto. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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