in name
On paper only
In name describes something that exists officially or nominally but lacks the substance or reality to match.
A ruler in name only holds the title but not the power.
A marriage in name only is legally valid but practically empty.
The phrase highlights the gap between what something is called and what it actually is.
- ostensibleStated but questionable
- labelIdentifying attachment or marker
- titleFormal honorific or name
- hollowEmpty within
- emptyHolding nothing inside
empty title · facade · so-called · designation · figurehead · rubber stamp · token · insubstantial · de jure · purported · superficial · honorific · paper tiger · on paper · alleged · pretense · lip service · pro forma
in namein practice
As things really happen
in reality · in fact · in effect · in truth · actually
in namein essence
Regarding core nature
at heart · in spirit · fundamentally · really · authentically
name, in, named, nickname, naming, names, unnamed, nicknames, misname