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
Another item in the package extends the de facto period of service for individuals serving on local boards and commissions beyond a looming February deadline and into April.
—Zachariah Hughes, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Jan. 2023
Previously, Disney had de facto control of the board as the district's largest landowner.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 10 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
See All Example Sentences for de facto
Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2023
Another item in the package extends the de facto period of service for individuals serving on local boards and commissions beyond a looming February deadline and into April.
—Zachariah Hughes, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Jan. 2023
Previously, Disney had de facto control of the board as the district's largest landowner.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 10 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
See All Example Sentences for de facto
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de facto
Adjective
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Or put differently, having your identity shaped by a history, culture, and language that is not American makes the question of identity an actual question.—
Pia Lauritzen,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
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Use virtual cards for online payments: Instead of using your actual bank card, generate virtual cards through your bank or a service like Privacy.com.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Major construction on the new building was completed in late last year, at which point scaffolding came down and the city got its first real view of the 900-foot-long concrete structure.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2025
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Tech N9ne, whose real name is Aaron Yates, is a Kansas City native and co-founder of the independent record label Strange Music and the the sole artist to contribute a track with lyrics for the KC Sonic ID release.—
J.M. Banks,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Although the administration insists this will not be the case, there is no factual reason to believe that narrative as these cut moves are not about efficiency, safety or functionality.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
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According to a factual proffer reflecting the prosecution’s case, the two unnamed U.S. soldiers were hanging out at the Colombian Pub, a sports bar in the upscale Zona T area, at about 11 p.m. on March 5, 2020.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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These actions have been saving lives and driving true culture change, creating a safer future for everyone.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2025
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This becomes even more true if a recession does result.—
Steve Banker,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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That one, out tomorrow, is dedicated to Arthur Elgort, the photographer whose work reshaped the very notion of fashion imagery.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
4 Mar. 2025
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In fact, a case was winding its way through the judiciary on this very topic at the time.—
Rebecca Brenner Graham / Made by History,
TIME,
4 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“De facto.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de%20facto. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
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