Basic Guidelines For English Spellings
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In fact, whether by right or not.
‘the country was de facto divided between two states’Often contrasted with de jure- ‘This annexation, similar to the de facto annexation of broad tracts of land, constitutes a flagrant breach of the right of the people to self-determination.’
- ‘The statement underlined the impact of de facto financial sanctions on the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ second biggest oil producer.’
- ‘The nature and characteristics of de facto economic integration are also crucially important and this book presents a deeper understanding of the on-going de facto economic integration in East Asia.’
in practice, in effect, in fact, in reality, really, actually, in actualityView synonyms
adjective
Existing or holding a specified position in fact but not necessarily by legal right.
‘a de facto one-party system’- ‘The court will also protect a child of a de facto relationship in the same way.’
- ‘Simply put, in the case of a de facto national primary, long-shot candidates need not apply.’
- ‘You want to be more involved in the child's court case and are considering becoming a de facto parent.’
- ‘Thus, it recently recognised the right for de facto spouses to consent to care for a partner who is unfit.’
actual, existing, existent, real, effectiveView synonyms
Origin
Latin, literally ‘of fact’.
Pronunciation
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