LEGITIMACIES Synonyms: 20 Similar and Opposite Words

legitimacy

noun

li-ˈji-tə-mə-sē

Definition of legitimacy

as in lawfulness

the quality or state of being legal the legitimacy of the military dictatorship was not recognized by most other nations

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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 legitimacy The jewel of the offseason, Peralta was supposed to bring legitimacy to an uncertain rotation. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026 But the legitimacy of these elections is already being questioned, with the JAAC calling them a sham. — Hasan Ali, Christian Science Monitor, 26 July 2026 Norah and Magdalen learn that they were technically born out of wedlock and, because of a legitimacy codicil in their father’s will, are therefore unable to receive their parents’ money. — Literary Hub, 24 July 2026 Beliefs Sovereign citizens reject the legitimacy of government above the county level and believe that they cannot be compelled to obey state or federal civil or criminal laws. — Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for legitimacy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimacy

Noun

According to a court filing last week, the Department of Justice served at least two subpoenas to phone providers after the New York Times raised concerns about the lawfulness of the first subpoenas.

— Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 23 July 2026
That decision found a lower court judge who had sided with Khalil and freed him from a Louisiana lockup lacked the legal authority to weigh in on the lawfulness of the detention.

— Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026

Definition of lawfulness

Noun

There are also some questions about the legality of classifying current and future Florida homeowners differently.

— Abigail Hall, The Conversation, 30 July 2026
The legality of the approach is unclear, and not all renewable energy projects require lease payments that could be refunded.

— Cameron Pugh, Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2026

Definition of legality

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legit

legitimacy

legitimate

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“Legitimacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legitimacy. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of legitimacy

noun

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