nominally

[ nom-uh-nl-ee ]

/ ˈnɒm ə nl i /

by or as regards name; in name; ostensibly: He was nominally the leader, but others actually ran the organization.

Nearby words

First recorded in 1655–65; nominal + -ly

But one thing is becoming clearer: No matter who is nominally in charge, chaos will reign.
There’s a Senate Civil War Coming, No Matter Who Wins in November|David Freedlander|October 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Meanwhile, the labor unions and liberal groups that nominally backed Cuomo could not be more thrilled to see him stumble.
Andrew Cuomo Can't Ignore It Now: He's Weak Even at Home|David Freedlander|September 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Egypt and Syria were formal coalition members; even China and Russia were at least nominally on board.
Obama Needs a Friend in Congress—Like Bush Had|Lloyd Green|September 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Nominally offensive material is funny as long as there's some wit involved.
The Oscars: Bring Back Bob Hope|Michael Tomasky|February 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST

As one fixed-income manager mordantly noted, "The most dangerous thing in the world is a nominally risk free asset."
Chasing the Tails|Megan McArdle|November 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST
And though it nominally possesses Persia, yet it holds it as a subject, not as a convert.
Ten Great Religions|James Freeman Clarke
Gudrun is nominally reconciled with Atli, but in secret plans revenge for the death of her brothers.
The Nibelungenlied|Unknown
They were now disposed in different garrisons, nominally to protect the frontier.
The Rise of the Dutch Republic, Volume I.(of III) 1555-66|John Lothrop Motley
Sometimes also objects were offered, nominally as gifts to the god, but in reality in order that they might be secure.
A Catalogue of Sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum, Volume I (of 2)|A. H. Smith
In this he was so far successful that they made peace with the grand prince and were for a while nominally Christians.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3|Various