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View synonyms for de facto

de facto

[ dee fak-toh, dey ]

adverb

  1. in fact; in reality: They are forbidden from leaving the camp, thereby being de facto in a state of detention.

    Although his title was prime minister, he was de facto president of the country.

    They are forbidden from leaving the camp, thereby being de facto in a state of detention.

  2. actually existing, especially when without lawful authority ( de jure ):

    He led efforts to reduce de facto segregation in the city's public schools.



noun

  1. Australia. a person who lives with someone in an intimate romantic relationship but is not married to that person.

de facto

/ deɪ ˈfæktəʊ /

adverb

  1. in fact
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


adjective

  1. existing in fact, whether legally recognized or not Compare de jure

    a de facto regime

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a de facto husband or wife
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

de facto

  1. Something generally accepted or agreed to without any formal decision in its favor: “They never elected him; he became their leader de facto.” From Latin , meaning “in fact.” ( Compare de jure .)


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Word History and Origins

Origin of de facto1

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin dē factō literally, “from the fact”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of de facto1

C17: Latin
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Example Sentences

The central issue is de facto immunity traditionally given to bishops and cardinals.

The language of this bill is a de facto abortion ban for most pregnant federal prisoners.

Any news group that aims for the elusive ideal of objectivity is de facto liberal, in their view.

Use him as the poster child for a nasty, devilish lobbying group being the de facto fourth branch of government.

Politico reported over the weekend that Sharpton is the de facto liaison for the White House regarding the shooting in Ferguson.

They thought of them most in their lay capacity of de facto Government agents all over the Islands.

We dismiss it without further comment—and with it Colonization in toto—and Mr. Birney de facto.

We are inclined to turn from them to the intellectual monarchs de facto.

The emperor de facto might be viewed under two aspects; there was the man, and there was the office.

Mrs. Morton did not object to a nephew de facto, she only objected to a nephew in forma pauperis.

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