in name only

American  

idiom

1. having a particular title or reputation, but not functioning or behaving accordingly.

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in name only More Idioms  

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]

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Other Word Forms

• in-name-only
  adjective

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

in name only

A ceasefire has been in force since 17 April - in name only - as it has been violated repeatedly by both sides.

From BBC ● Jun. 7, 2026

Months earlier it had appeared to be an election in name only.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 7, 2026

At the Citrosuco plant in Polk County—which flew the Brazilian flag alongside the red, white, and blue—and at the Cutrale sites and even at Florida-based Peace River, it was basically Florida in name only.

From Slate ● Apr. 20, 2026

It is especially a menace to anyone invested in securities such as longer-term Treasury bonds, which are “safe” in name only.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 11, 2026

But bein’ a wife in name only, and not even usin’ the name....Well, you really still just a old maid, ain’t you?”

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns

Related Words

• ostensible
• titular