legitimately
adverb
le·git·i·mate·ly
li-ˈji-tə-mət-lē 
: in a legitimate manner : according to what is lawful, permitted, appropriate, or reasonable
money earned legitimately [=legally]
a question that can be legitimately asked
… objects of ritual significance that were common tribal property seldom if ever could have come legitimately into nontribal hands.—
Robert McC. Adams
Robert McC. AdamsThe other kind of steroids are the potent inflammation fighters widely and legitimately used to treat dozens of illnesses.—Paul G. Donohue
Paul G. Donohue… several objections to their book can legitimately be raised.—Christopher Lehmann-Haupt
Christopher Lehmann-HauptExamples of legitimately in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Instead of using the money to provide hospice care for legitimately dying patients, Davis alleged, the suspects used it for international travel, to pay mortgages and car loans and to send money overseas.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Especially one that features Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Martin Necas, Nazem Kadri, Brock Nelson, Val Nichushkin and Nicolas Roy, all at the same time, a legitimately scary roster that goes four lines and two goaltenders deep.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
The food is legitimately good now.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 28 Mar. 2026
Wait has become a minor celebrity among those in Wisconsin and beyond who do not believe President Joe Biden legitimately won the presidency in 2020.
—Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legitimately
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Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Especially one that features Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Martin Necas, Nazem Kadri, Brock Nelson, Val Nichushkin and Nicolas Roy, all at the same time, a legitimately scary roster that goes four lines and two goaltenders deep.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
The food is legitimately good now.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 28 Mar. 2026
Wait has become a minor celebrity among those in Wisconsin and beyond who do not believe President Joe Biden legitimately won the presidency in 2020.
—Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legitimately
Cite this Entry
“Legitimately.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legitimately. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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