legitimate 1 of 2

adjective

li-ˈji-tə-mət How to pronounce legitimate (audio)
Definition of legitimatenext
as in legal
permitted by law the mistrust created among investors by the financial scandal has hurt even companies engaged in wholly legitimate business practices

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

legitimate

2 of 2

verb

as in to legitimize

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word legitimate different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of legitimate are lawful, legal, and licit. While all these words mean "being in accordance with law," legitimate may apply to a legal right or status but also, in extended use, to a right or status supported by tradition, custom, or accepted standards.

a perfectly legitimate question about taxes

When is it sensible to use lawful instead of legitimate?

The synonyms lawful and legitimate are sometimes interchangeable, but lawful may apply to conformity with law of any sort (such as natural, divine, common, or canon).

the lawful sovereign

When can legal be used instead of legitimate?

While in some cases nearly identical to legitimate, legal applies to what is sanctioned by law or in conformity with the law, especially as it is written or administered by the courts.

legal residents of the state

In what contexts can licit take the place of legitimate?

Although the words licit and legitimate have much in common, licit applies to a strict conformity to the provisions of the law and applies especially to what is regulated by law.

the licit use of drugs by doctors

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of legitimate
Adjective
But just before moving pictures started to proliferate in their nickelodeon infancy, the Shuberts saw an opportunity in the legitimate theater and grabbed it. —Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025 While the gas has legitimate uses in both the medical and culinary fields, questions remain about how it should be regulated. —Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
The stretch was supposed to tell us how close the over-performing Steelers could be to legitimate Super Bowl contenders. —Mike Defabo, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025 Image In 2023, Japanese regulators updated government guidelines to encourage companies to give serious consideration to legitimate takeover offers. —River Akira Davis, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for legitimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimate
  1. legal
  2. legitimize
  3. justifiable
  4. validate
  5. lawful
  6. sanction
  7. privilege
  8. warrant
Adjective
  • After years of legal battles over a slew of building code violations, the owners of the Libby, McNeill and Libby building in Blue Island transferred ownership to the city under an agreement approved by the City Council Tuesday.
    — Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
  • These efforts have triggered a series of legal challenges and widespread public backlash.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of legal
Verb
  • Keeping all three in place would only turn off fans more and legitimize the critics who say ownership isn’t willing to make the tough decisions to put this team in the best position to win.
    — William Guillory, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Parcells legitimized the franchise upon his arrival as a Super Bowl-winning coach in 1993 and took the Patriots to the playoffs in two of his four seasons.
    — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of legitimize
Adjective
  • Alongside demoralization runs justifiable caution; the act of protest itself has become more dangerous.
    — Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2025
  • He was told that no charges were filed and that it was deemed a justifiable homicide.
    — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of justifiable
Verb
  • Addressing this issue requires a fundamental shift in how training data is collected and validated. 2.
    — Rahul Saluja, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Some shared their own experiences validating the usefulness of pre-wedding intel.
    — Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of validate
Adjective
  • These refugees, most of whom are women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, fled an active war zone through a lawful program initiated by the U.S. government.
    — Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • In the government’s memo filed Thursday, Rubio cited an obscure provision in the law giving his office the power to deport noncitizens whose activities, even if lawful, could pose unfavorable foreign policy consequences.
    — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of lawful
Verb
  • Wilson's refusal to face the trans athlete came on Friday in Nashville, Tennessee, at the MVP Music City Open, which is an event that is officially sanctioned by the Disc Golf Pro Tour and the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA).
    — Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The tournament at the University of Maryland’s College Park campus was sanctioned by USA Fencing and had no involvement from the NCAA.
    — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of sanction
Verb
  • Caution and brand protection suggest privileging continuity over a lucky seasonal earning.
    — Matteo Atti, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • But how insensitive and privileged his response was.
    — Melanie Curry, refinery29.com, 17 Feb. 2025
Definition of privilege
Verb
  • Strong winds are occurring but are not so strong as to warrant a High wind warning.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Ozturk's lawyers at the American Civil Liberties Union argue the arrest marked a clear violation of her free speech and due process rights under the U.S. Constitution that should warrant her immediate release.
    — Nate Raymond, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of warrant

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legitimacy
legitimate
legitimated
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Cite this Entry

“Legitimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legitimate. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of legitimate for Spanish Speakers

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