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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Earnings Estimates Summary Companies reporting and combining actual results with consensus estimates for companies yet to report, the S&P 500’s blended earnings growth rate for the quarter is at 10.3% year-over-year, above the 4.9% expectations at the end of the quarter.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
3 Aug. 2025
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As the Republicans in the state understood that cost calculation and saw its actual impact, other states followed.—
Dr. Mark A. Boyer,
Hartford Courant,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Why gold demand surged While the dollar or the euro isn’t going away anytime soon, Doshi said the demand for real hard assets that complement fiat currency rose over the last few decades as global debt and governments’ share of that debt has increased.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
2 Aug. 2025
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What is a real excuse is when Fiona dropped out of my birthday party the day of because her longtime friend was finally getting a kidney transplant and wanted her there.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The factual takeaway is that prior S&P 500 returns have averaged to 8.27%.—
Catherine Brock,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
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To Holmes, much of the information being obscured is factual, not political.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
Adjective
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This rings especially true for me, a vegetarian for nearly two decades.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
26 July 2025
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This was certainly true of the Mets last summer when Taylor played his way into the lineup more consistently than Harrison Bader.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
26 July 2025
Adjective
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After screening a new Gen V season 2 trailer packed with The Boys crossovers and some new casting, Amazon's Comic-Con panel in Ballroom 20 on Friday afternoon left one major reveal for the very end: the first teaser trailer for the fifth and final season of the mothership series.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
26 July 2025
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Large, complex, thousand-page bills often hide provisions that aren't just wasteful, but dangerous to the very foundation of our republic.—
Kevin Sabet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“De facto.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de%20facto. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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