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
as in to legitimize
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of legitimate
Darren Franich, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2025
The new scam texts closely mimic Apple's legitimate notifications, which is particularly dangerous because many users are conditioned to act quickly on alerts about suspicious activity.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Barry R. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2018
As the warm glow of his Crimea success has faded, Putin has struggled to find a narrative to legitimate his rule.
—Timothy Frye, Foreign Affairs, 26 Feb. 2022
See All Example Sentences for legitimate
Adjective
DreamWorks became a legitimate animation competitor with 2001’s Shrek, at the time received as a ruthless parody of Michael Eisner’s Mouse House.
—Darren Franich, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2025
The new scam texts closely mimic Apple's legitimate notifications, which is particularly dangerous because many users are conditioned to act quickly on alerts about suspicious activity.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
States have long sought to legitimate their foreign policies, because even grudging cooperation from others is less costly than mild resistance.
—Barry R. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2018
As the warm glow of his Crimea success has faded, Putin has struggled to find a narrative to legitimate his rule.
—Timothy Frye, Foreign Affairs, 26 Feb. 2022
See All Example Sentences for legitimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimate
Adjective
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What To Know The local law, passed by the New York City Council in December 2021, took effect on January 8, 2022, but has faced legal challenges ever since.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
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Mountain of cash The concerns are twofold: economic and legal.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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By validating transactions within the blockchain database, these investors legitimize the currency for its user base.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA TODAY,
18 Mar. 2025
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Simply put, what this meant was that the ruler of the empire legitimized his reign through Buddhism, portraying himself either as a Buddha or as a patron of Buddhists – their texts and institutions.—
Stephanie Balkwill,
The Conversation,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Given the demonstrated fan interest and commercial value of women's basketball, there's no justifiable reason to maintain this outdated format difference between the men's and women's tournaments.—
Lindsey Darvin,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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The promise of a $225,000 starting salary at a top corporate law firm is luring many, making the financial burden of law school seem more justifiable.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Whereas empathy can lead to emotional entanglement that can distort decision-making, compassionate objectivity acknowledges and validates emotions without being overtaken by them.—
Tim Maurer,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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Mothers who had kids in quick succession, like her, validated why their experience was challenging.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Khalil is a Columbia University graduate student and lawful permanent resident of the United States who was detained by Homeland Security, apparently for his prominent roles in protests at Columbia against Israel's war in Gaza.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
22 Mar. 2025
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Peirce’s message to the industry is that the SEC is no longer an adversary, but is instead trying to give crypto a clear, lawful framework.—
MacKenzie Sigalos,Ari Levy,
CNBC,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Kingpin Act prohibits anyone in the U.S. from engaging in deals or transactions with people or businesses sanctioned by the Treasury Department.—
Brittny Mejia,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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The Associated Press reports there are 14 states that have sanctioned girls flag football as a high school varsity sport.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But how insensitive and privileged his response was.—
Melanie Curry,
refinery29.com,
17 Feb. 2025
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Debates about congestion pricing have gone on for decades; in recent years the opposition has focused on the charge that the plan would privilege abstract environmental goals over the financial challenges of everyday workers driving into Manhattan below 60th Street, where the tolling is in effect.—
Ginia Bellafante,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Instead, he’s been pretty darn impressive — making smart plays defensively but showing off his quick trigger and aggressive offensive instincts when warranted.—
Mark Lazerus,
The Athletic,
21 Mar. 2025
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Strong winds are occurring but are not so strong as to warrant a High wind warning.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacramento Bee,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Legitimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legitimate. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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