形同虚设 xíngtóngxūshè to exist in name only Origin Definitions Defs Strokes Stroke Words Sentences Sents 形同 xíngtóng to be like to be similar in form or shape; to be practically the same as; to act or be as if虚设 虛設 xūshè to exist in name only To establish an office, position, or organization that has no practical function or authority; nominal; existing only in name.