1
as in spurious
born to a father and mother who are not married
despite being illegitimate, Alexander Hamilton rose to greatness
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in illegal
contrary to or forbidden by law
an illegitimate use of campaign contributions for personal expenses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unreasonable
not using or following good reasoning
made several illegitimate inferences
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of illegitimate
Teams with low absenteeism judge calling in sick for illegitimate reasons.
—
Lieke Ten Brummelhuis, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
However, some illegitimate brands may sell contaminated or mislabeled products.
—Rowan Briggs, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2025
From a phone in the Kremlin, Burns listened to the Russian leader recite his usual bill of grievances—an expansionist NATO threatened Russian security; Zelensky was the illegitimate leader of a non-country.
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2025
Among the hoard is Eugenius, an infamous ruler considered illegitimate by the Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire.
—Andrea Margolis, Fox News, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for illegitimate 
Lieke Ten Brummelhuis, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
However, some illegitimate brands may sell contaminated or mislabeled products.
—Rowan Briggs, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2025
From a phone in the Kremlin, Burns listened to the Russian leader recite his usual bill of grievances—an expansionist NATO threatened Russian security; Zelensky was the illegitimate leader of a non-country.
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2025
Among the hoard is Eugenius, an infamous ruler considered illegitimate by the Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire.
—Andrea Margolis, Fox News, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for illegitimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for illegitimate
Adjective
-
In May 2024, Cairo joined South Africa in its spurious legal case at the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of war crimes—without any evidence.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
-
The arguments on the pro-bulk-billing side were spurious or overblown, and the MTE [multiple tenant environments] access rules have broad, bipartisan support, as well as a lot of industry support.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Official fireworks shows took place over the city, and illegal pyrotechnics lit up the sky everywhere in between.—
Lisa Beebe,
Los Angeles Magazine,
5 July 2017
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Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.—
James Bruggers,
The Courier-Journal,
5 July 2017
Adjective
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In response to Kelley calling the union demands unreasonable, Lacey said the president's comments were insulting.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr.,
USA TODAY,
6 Feb. 2025
-
The share of frisks and fuller searches complying with the ruling — and the Constitution’s Fourth Amendment guarantee against unreasonable searches and seizures — were lower than the stop numbers.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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One of those items is a very real-looking papier-mâché pigeon poking out from a hole in the wall of that misbegotten closet.—
Wendy Goodman,
Curbed,
14 Jan. 2025
-
The dessert for this feast of misbegotten nominations was served when Trump appointed Kimberly Guilfoyle, the longtime fiancée of his eldest son, Don, Jr., as the new Ambassador to Greece—a move that accommodates the son’s fresher affections for a Palm Beach socialite.—
David Remnick,
The New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Trump, Musk so far provide scant evidence for their claims of government fraud Trump's post on Saturday sparked backlash from Democrats, who accused him of using the office of the presidency to justify unlawful or ethically dubious actions.—
Julia Reinstein,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2025
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Their egregious and seemingly unlawful acts compromise our national security and put Americans at risk.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Instead, try to ground yourself in the present and challenge irrational fears with evidence and logic.—
Amy Blankson,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
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After all, mathematicians have long known that most numbers are irrational.—
Erica Klarreich,
Quanta Magazine,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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At first, the illicit supply would also ship directly from China to the US, but it’s evolved into disparate streams.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN,
8 Feb. 2025
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Footage showed authorities removing the illicit items from his pockets following the apprehension.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
Fox News,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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As an unofficial adviser to the Chinese government and a scientific ambassador between his birth country and his adopted home, Lee was instrumental in a wide range of education and exchange programs in China.—
Yangyang Cheng,
NPR,
5 Sep. 2024
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About 20% were for a family’s new child, whether that is after giving birth or welcoming an adopted or foster child.—
Kinsey Crowley,
Fortune,
6 Feb. 2023
Thesaurus Entries Near illegitimate
Cite this Entry
“Illegitimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illegitimate. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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