LEGITIMATE Synonyms: 87 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

legitimate 1 of 2

adjective

li-ˈji-tə-mət

Definition of legitimate next

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

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of legitimate

Adjective

Chargers Chargers take Jim Harbaugh’s sometimes comical words very seriously Oct. 25, 2024 Still, major colleges were slow to believe McConkey could be a legitimate prospect. —

Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024 But the spine of the story — a dramatic legal feud between two close friends over the founding of Facebook, a saga that had escaped the notice of the mainstream press — was legitimate. —

Simon Van Zuylen-Wood, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024

Verb

More to Read Opinion: Can legitimate campus protest be distinguished from antisemitism? —

Josh Rottenberg, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2024 And building search engines that are still able to direct you to legitimate real content, not the billions of spin-offs, that is one of the most existential problems that exist. —

Nilay Patel, The Verge, 11 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for legitimate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimate

Adjective

According to the post-election poll by the Democratic-leaning groups, Latino voters supported providing legal status to undocumented immigrants who have lived in the U.S. a very long time, including those brought to the U.S. as children.

Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Justin says Lo now owes him more than $165,000 in legal fees, back rent, and repairs.

Suzanne Seggerman, Curbed, 14 Nov. 2024