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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Example Sentences
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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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But this is sort of a wild amount of actual power for someone unelected.—
Nathaniel Rakich,
ABC News,
4 Feb. 2025
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And now the actual spot has dropped, embedded below.—
Seth Abramovitch,
The Hollywood Reporter,
4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The real issue is whether the whole group of people that the DA decided to let off the hook — a group that includes repeat offenders — would likely re-offend.—
Charles "Cully" Stimson/The Heritage Foundation,
Boston Herald,
3 Feb. 2025
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Achilles’ accompanying food menu includes lots of options like real New York bagels, toasts, breakfast burritos and lunch sandwiches such as the Carmel Valley with turkey, bacon, Harvarti cheese, heirloom tomatoes, arugula and pesto piled on toasted sourdough.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This article include reporting from The Associated Press fairness meter fairness meter Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair.—
Amir Daftari,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
-
All too often, by the time an infant or young child comes to our offices for their well care visit, the damage has already been done and no amount of factual information or legitimate sources will change a parent’s mind.—
Dr. Eve Meltzer Krief,
New York Daily News,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Even if for the sake of argument that were true, the policy response is not and never can be.—
The Editors,
National Review,
27 Jan. 2025
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Multigenerational families living together is very true to Latine culture in the United States and beyond.—
Zayda Rivera,
Parents,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But the legal saga is far from over, as Baldwin filed a civil lawsuit against prosecutors and investigators of the very trial earlier this month that alleges malicious prosecution and defamation.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
27 Jan. 2025
-
The late Queen was devoted to duty until the very end, and her final engagement was a meeting with then-incoming (now former) Prime Minister Liz Truss on Sept. 6, 2022, two days before her death on Sept. 8 at age 96.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
27 Jan. 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 8 Feb. 2025.
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