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
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Crypto deals raise questions Unless court orders are narrowly tailored to only cover the actual litigants, the administration argues, judges will have too much power to stall crucial presidential actions.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
12 May 2025
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Those three projects, officially housing around 5,000 souls but probably double or triple that number in actual head count, are each unofficially run by a gang.—
Paul Solotaroff,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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Thus, taken together, these statistics suggest outcomes that are mainly static or negative, including real harm in the form of suspensions.—
Christopher J. Ferguson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2025
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The ceasefire should last for 30 days to give diplomacy a real chance.—
Joanna Kakissis,
NPR,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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This is a preview of The 1600—Tap here to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. fairness meter Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair.—
Carlo Versano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 May 2025
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Imagine getting together online with a community where the AI can determine if what is said is factual, and rather than being a spectator like on an ‘X spaces’ (formerly Twitter), the interaction is warm, like being with friends at a dinner party.—
Larry Dvoskin,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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The coloration of light in this image does not depict a true optical rainbow as would be seen by the naked eye, but rather a colored representation of different wavelengths of light that highlight the instrument's capability to analyze various components of the solar atmosphere.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
15 May 2025
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Dylan’s life is full of true — meaning real — contradictions.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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Artists are being replaced by the very AI models that were built from their work without their consent or compensation.—
Karen Hao,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2025
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We are reminded by our guides that Everton won the first league title at Anfield and that Liverpool FC owe their very existence to that rent dispute.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“De facto.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de%20facto. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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