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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In one recent study, Transamerica found that fewer than two-thirds of retirees have an actual retirement plan.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA TODAY,
16 Feb. 2025
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Those are the people who are actual corruption fighters within the departments and agencies.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This debauchery led to Fear being banned from SNL, which singer Lee Ving has always considered to be a real honor.—
Shannon Carlin,
TIME,
15 Feb. 2025
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Likewise, there will be many who won’t feel this is such a big deal given there’s no real suggestion that the amount of clostebol Sinner took would have given him much of a competitive advantage.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
The Athletic,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The Senate is also set to vote on whether to confirm the remaining Trump Cabinet picks, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary. fairness meter fairness meter Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair.—
Ewan Palmer,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
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Veteran filmmaker Burns directed and produced the epic factual series about the formation of the U.S. along with Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt and written by long-term collaborator Geoffrey C. Ward (The Vietnam War).—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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As the true scale of the fallout comes into view, African governments are wondering how to fill gaping holes left in vital services, like health care and education, that until recent weeks were funded by the United States.—
Declan Walsh,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2025
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The pair joined Deadline’s Contenders Film: The Nominees virtual livestream event to talk about the Orion Pictures and Amazon MGM Studios film, and their inspiration for adapting Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, which was inspired by true events.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The very nature of anecdotal health content means that Gibson won’t be the last influencer to make false claims online.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
8 Feb. 2025
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But the very existence of that investigation blocked completion of a local audit looking at similar issues.—
Mike Hendricks,
Kansas City Star,
7 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near de facto
Cite this Entry
“De facto.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de%20facto. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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