DE FACTO Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

de facto

adjective

Definition of de facto

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of de facto The portal has brought about de facto unfettered free agency in major college football and basketball. — Christopher L. Gasper, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Mar. 2023 Senior centers across the country function as de facto community centers. — Eliza Fawcett, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2023 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 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

While not entirely clear, the second stat here likely relates to how efficiently the cells are packaged inside the pack, rather than its actual volumetric energy density efficiency.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
However, the actual performance for input lag is a little mixed.

— M. David Stone, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of actual

Adjective

As in many of the attractions, he’s based on a real person who experienced certain events.

— Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
The tension follows the women to Courtney’s event celebrating her husband’s birthday, where the real entertainment for the evening was Tia and Gizelle lacing stepping in the ring.

— Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of real

Adjective

Dunlay said the city prepared the report to provide the City Council with factual information about investments in the 2nd District over a 10-year period.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Within Italy’s unscripted sphere, the factual genre has seen the most significant growth, up 36% in terms of number of hours, with the number of domestic factual titles adapted from international formats doubling.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of factual

Adjective

Andrew Durand, with his handsome crab-apple features, makes a perfectly quizzical Benjamin; Kelsee Kimmel is stirring as his true love, who shares his age just once.

— Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Founded in Switzerland in 2010, On has collaborated with an impressive roster of partners over the last 16 years, from tennis legend Roger Federer to Spanish fashion house Loewe, all while staying true to its mission of celebrating movement.

— Kasey Busiel, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of true

Adjective

But if firms lean on AI to cut lower-level work, the risk is destroying the very avenue of apprenticeship that produces future senior associates and managers.

— Tim Brackney, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
The accompanying image might have been taken the very evening of that party in ’33.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of very

Browse Nearby Words

defacing

de facto

defalcation

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“De facto.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de%20facto. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of de facto

adjective

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