legitimately
adverb
le·git·i·mate·ly
li-ˈji-tə-mət-lē 
: in a legitimate manner : according to what is lawful, permitted, appropriate, or reasonable
money earned legitimately [=legally]
a question that can be legitimately asked
… objects of ritual significance that were common tribal property seldom if ever could have come legitimately into nontribal hands.—
Robert McC. Adams
Robert McC. AdamsThe other kind of steroids are the potent inflammation fighters widely and legitimately used to treat dozens of illnesses.—Paul G. Donohue
Paul G. Donohue… several objections to their book can legitimately be raised.—Christopher Lehmann-Haupt
Christopher Lehmann-HauptExamples of legitimately in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But this is the first time Sanders has legitimately been linked to an opening.
—Vincent Frank, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Over that same stretch, the team has been legitimately good at five-on-five, earning 53 percent of the xG, a top 10 mark with 57 percent of the goals to show for it.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
One of several films on Max that can legitimately be called a masterpiece.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 3 Jan. 2025
What Happens Next Authorities are still working to determine a motive as the FBI is expected to continue to examine the evidence to determine whether the manifesto is legitimately tied to Livelsberger.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for legitimately 
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Vincent Frank, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Over that same stretch, the team has been legitimately good at five-on-five, earning 53 percent of the xG, a top 10 mark with 57 percent of the goals to show for it.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
One of several films on Max that can legitimately be called a masterpiece.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 3 Jan. 2025
What Happens Next Authorities are still working to determine a motive as the FBI is expected to continue to examine the evidence to determine whether the manifesto is legitimately tied to Livelsberger.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for legitimately
Dictionary Entries Near legitimately
Cite this Entry
“Legitimately.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legitimately. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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