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.
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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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Some new products, like Bubble Waffles, actual vanilla beans, and Mocha Latte Pretzels came and teased us before disappearing into the Graveyard of Unscaleable Delights.Alex Beggs, Bon Appétit, 12 Dec. 2024
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But Survivor 46 gave us something that has been sorely lacking in the new kinder, gentler era of the show — some actual spice.Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The editing was also choppy at times and there seemed no real flow to the season in terms of tribe dynamics.Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
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What's next for the Red Sox? Ideally for them, the Red Sox could add another starter, and FanSided's Zachary Rotman feels like this is a real possibility.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The results pointed to the success of dramas including All Creatures Great and Small, which airs on PBS in the States, and factual shows like Captain Tom: Where Did The Money Go?.Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Dec. 2024
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This article includes reporting from The Associated Press fairness meter Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Ahead, Ricky shares what a true hybrid model can enable for the financial sector, from better customer experience to flexible and scalable operations.Forbes, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
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This was not a story about someone who had forsaken her true self to please others.Alice Gregory, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The symbolism was impossible to ignore: The Syrian regime’s brutal reconquest of that very city in 2016 had demonstrated Russia’s military effectiveness.Nicole Grajewski, The Atlantic, 3 Dec. 2024
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Web scraping traces its roots back to the very origin of the internet.Sandro Shubladze, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
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 15 Dec. 2024.
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