in name only

1. Also, only in name. Nominally, not actually. For example, He's the chief executive in name only; his vice-president makes all the decisions, or Theirs was a marriage only in name; they lived on different continents. [Late 1300s]

Example Sentences

Gustafson told a local news outlet after her defeat that she had been called a “RINO,” or “Republican in name only,” a “baby killer” and “flip-flopper” for her votes against abortion bans.

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But if violence such as what occurred on Tuesday becomes the norm, then the ceasefire will exist in name only.

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And an ‘opportunity’ for an equal education is an opportunity in name only when you can’t afford to live in a good school district or to pay college tuition.

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“That would be an occasion in which a blind trust is blind in name only,” Texas trust attorney Brad Wiewel said.

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But Scottish Conservatives leader Russell Findlay has said that without changes, the bill will not "meaningfully change the justice system", adding: "It's a victims' law in name only."

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Related Words

• ostensible 
• titular