in name
idiom
—used with a following statement to say that something is so by name or title but that is not the way things really are
The Emperor rules in name but not in fact.
She's my boss in name, but we're really more like partners.
Examples of in name in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Upsets happen but incumbents enjoy advantages in name recognition, money and media attention, said Sara Johnson, a political science lecturer at SMU.
—
Karen Brooks Harper, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
Hungary remains a democracy in name, but an illiberal one in substance.
—Alejandro Reyes, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
Athletes are no longer amateurs, even in name.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 29 Jan. 2026
Duke turning to litigation also invited suspicions the Mensah-Duke deal was an NIL arrangement in name only and largely pretextual.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 Jan. 2026
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Karen Brooks Harper, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
Hungary remains a democracy in name, but an illiberal one in substance.
—Alejandro Reyes, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
Athletes are no longer amateurs, even in name.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 29 Jan. 2026
Duke turning to litigation also invited suspicions the Mensah-Duke deal was an NIL arrangement in name only and largely pretextual.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for in name
Cite this Entry
“In name.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20name. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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