de facto

6 synonyms and 2 antonyms for de facto, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adjective — Existing or holding power in reality, whether or not officially recognised or legally established.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

actual effective

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

unofficial

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

in practice in reality in effect

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adjective

Existing or holding power in reality, whether or not officially recognised or legally established.

“The general became the country's de facto ruler months before the election.”

actual effective in practice unofficial

Opposites

de jure official

2. adverb

In actual fact, as things really stand rather than as the law or the paperwork says.

“The border has de facto ceased to exist.”

in reality in effect in practice

Opposites

de jure

How to use de facto

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

de facto leader de facto standard de facto control de facto recognition

Formal to neutral; very common in law, politics and journalism.

Etymology

From Latin de facto, literally 'from the fact' or 'from the deed'.

Full origin of de facto →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between de facto and de jure?

De facto describes what is actually the case; de jure describes what is the case according to law. A de facto leader really runs the country; a de jure leader holds the legal title, even if they have no real power.

Does de facto need a hyphen or italics?

No hyphen is needed, and it is now common enough in English that italics are optional. Write a de facto standard, not a de-facto standard.

What is a de facto relationship?

In Australian and New Zealand law it is a couple living together as partners without being married. Many legal rights that apply to married couples also apply to de facto partners.

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official effective actual unofficial

Nearby words

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