LEGAL Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'legal' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of legal are lawful , legitimate , and licit . While all these words mean "being in accordance with law," 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

Q: When can 'lawful' be used instead of 'legal'?

The meanings of lawful and legal largely overlap; however, lawful may apply to conformity with law of any sort (such as natural, divine, common, or canon). // the lawful sovereign

Q: Where would 'legitimate' be a reasonable alternative to 'legal'?

In some situations, the words legitimate and legal are roughly equivalent. However, 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

Q: When would 'licit' be a good substitute for 'legal'?

The words licit and legal can be used in similar contexts, but 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

legal

adjective

ˈlē-gəl

Definition of legal next

as in legitimate

permitted by law the congressman's fund-raising efforts, though arguably unethical, were determined to be legal

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in moral

following or according to the rules the referee declared it a legal play

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of legal are lawful, legitimate, and licit. While all these words mean "being in accordance with law," 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

When can lawful be used instead of legal?

The meanings of lawful and legal largely overlap; however, lawful may apply to conformity with law of any sort (such as natural, divine, common, or canon).

the lawful sovereign

Where would legitimate be a reasonable alternative to legal?

In some situations, the words legitimate and legal are roughly equivalent. However, 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 would licit be a good substitute for legal?

The words licit and legal can be used in similar contexts, but 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

Examples 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 legal The one problem is many of these players aren’t exactly familiar with throwing legal checks or absorbing them. —

Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025 Larsen and Serrano, who were not of legal drinking age, also drank alcohol before the skit while in the presence of Cowling. —

Landon Mion, Fox News, 8 Jan. 2025 This week's flurry of legal activity echoed Trump's efforts to delay his trial last year, with his lawyers racing to the state court system's Appellate Division on successive days, only to be denied. —

Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 8 Jan. 2025 Not only does this bring into the picture a myriad of social and psychological considerations, at least concerning how AI impacts humans, but there are also profound philosophical moral, ethical, legal, and technological considerations afoot. —

Lance Eliot, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for legal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legal

Adjective

Werenski is an easy top 10 (and maybe top five) defenseman while the three forwards have leveled up to legitimate top-line talents.

Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
The information requested in this statement is designed to be used only by legitimate filers.

Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025