Synonyms of legitimate

legitimate 1 of 2

adjective

li-ˈji-tə-mət 

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

• legal
• justifiable
• lawful
• authorized
• legit
• regulation
• licit
• allowable
• good
• constitutional
• permissible
• proper
• statutory
• noncriminal
• right
• warrantable
• innocent
• just
• de jure

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• illegal
• illegitimate
• unlawful
• illicit
• wrongful
• wrong
• bad
• criminal
• evil
• corrupt
• immoral
• wicked
• guilty
• sinful
• prohibited
• unauthorized
• forbidden
• unjust
• impermissible
• lawless
• iniquitous
• unconstitutional
• reprobate
• outlawed
• banned
• under-the-table
• under-the-counter
• nonconstitutional

legitimate

2 of 2

verb

as in to legitimize

Related Words

• legitimize
• validate
• sanction
• privilege
• warrant
• qualify
• authorize
• license
• enable
• entitle
• approve
• endorse
• empower
• certificate
• permit
• enfranchise
• let
• certify
• ratify
• charter
• allow
• reaccredit
• accredit
• reapprove
• revalidate
• recertify
• recharter

Dissimilar Words

• invalidate
• nullify
• disable
• delegitimize
• forbid
• disqualify
• proscribe
• disallow
• disenfranchise
• disempower
• decertify

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of legitimate

Adjective

The Justice Department has sharply criticized that ruling and vowed to appeal, arguing the court improperly interfered with a legitimate prosecution involving a previously dormant investigation tied to a 2022 Tennessee traffic stop. —Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 3 June 2026

Sleepmaxxing isn’t inherently bad, as its individual components aren’t harmful, and many of the practices and products associated with it are grounded in legitimate sleep science. —Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 2 June 2026

Verb

The post-pandemic violent-crime wave and the concurrent public-transit-funding crisis helped legitimate the two reasons BART said a crackdown on fare-evasion was necessary in the first place. —Henry Grabar, The Atlantic, 20 Apr. 2026

Scholars of rhetoric have long argued that economics functions not merely as a set of policies or outcomes, but as a powerful persuasive appeal — one that directs public attention and legitimates political action. —Kenneth Zagacki, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026