legal

adjective

ˈlē-gəl How to pronounce legal (audio)
Definition of legalnext
1
as in legitimate
permitted by law the congressman's fund-raising efforts, though arguably unethical, were determined to be legal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

Example 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 On Friday, some lawmakers reportedly met with immigration law experts and community leaders to discuss legal options, as well as ways to keep people safe if Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents start a deportation roundup. — David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 25 July 2026 Biden's lawyers filed a notice of voluntary dismissal Friday in a related case that has the effect of ending the legal battle. — Nina Totenberg, NPR, 25 July 2026 When the legal work for the four new parcels is finished, the RDC plans to request proposals from developers for the site. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026 More legal payouts are likely in coming months, as currently pending lawsuits make their way through the courts. — Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for legal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legal
  1. legitimate
  2. moral
  3. ethical
  4. clean
  5. fair
Adjective
  • Many experts acknowledge there are legitimate arguments for using cloning in conservation, and for gene selection in farming.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • Raymond was a legitimate valedictory award for a show that had already won the Comedy Series Emmy once before in 2003.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 25 July 2026
Definition of legitimate
Adjective
  • More than two thousand years ago, Cicero wrote that the liberal arts provide the comprehensive knowledge and moral formation required to sustain a free society.
    — Matthew Scogin, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • But more specifically, Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s poem pinpoints how pervasively violence against women is a part of civilization’s moral decay.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 29 July 2026
Definition of moral
Adjective
  • This project might strike you as dystopian and disturbing, or exciting and encouraging – and its ethical soundness comes down to a few key factors, several experts told CNN.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • This particular iteration showcases Chopard’s signature Lucent steel and ethical rose gold on the giant 44 mm case and integrated bracelet, giving it a distinctive two-tone look.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 25 July 2026
Definition of ethical
Adjective
  • Briceno recommends coating both sides of the brush, wiping away any excess, and making sure the bristles come to a clean edge before applying.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 24 July 2026
  • In some respects, our skies have gotten cleaner in the past few decades; average levels of fine particulate matter have been cut nearly in half since 2000.
    — Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
Definition of clean
Adjective
  • His campaign has proposed using the state’s surplus to lower income and property taxes, increasing child care and school meal access, and supporting fair pay, benefits and stable jobs for workers.
    — Alexa Newsom, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
  • There is also a fair amount of misinformation circulating on social media and plenty of unanswered questions about the process as a whole — and many don’t have straightforward answers.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
Definition of fair

Phrases Containing legal

Browse Nearby Words

legacy
legal
legal eagle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Legal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legal. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on legal

Nglish: Translation of legal for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of comely

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All