legitimate 1 of 2

adjective

li-ˈji-tə-mət How to pronounce legitimate (audio)
Definition of legitimatenext
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

legitimate

2 of 2

verb

as in to legitimize

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 legitimate
Adjective
These systems operate invisibly in the background, letting legitimate customers breeze through while stopping fraudsters cold. —Jitender Jain, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025 The premise appears to be that only the President can decide whether someone’s legal rights are legitimate. —Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
Channeling their legacy of opposing power politics, internationalism and international organization would legitimate the American domination of power politics like no lone nationalism or limited alliance could. —Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 9 Feb. 2025 The stretch was supposed to tell us how close the over-performing Steelers could be to legitimate Super Bowl contenders. —Mike Defabo, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for legitimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimate
  1. legal
  2. legitimize
  3. justifiable
  4. validate
  5. lawful
  6. sanction
  7. privilege
  8. warrant
Adjective
  • Kemsley, citing irreconcilable differences, is also requesting that her ex pay her legal fees.
    — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
  • According to Katelyn Burns of MSNBC, the author donated £70,000 to For Women Scotland, a campaign group which brought legal challenges arguing that trans women should not be considered women.
    — Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Definition of legal
Verb
  • Ukraine and its allies do not want the U.S. to legitimize Russia's annexation.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Barrett and Lawrence noted violence becomes normalized when leaders or the public legitimize it.
    — Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of legitimize
Adjective
  • In hindsight, his decision to betray his budding mentee, Han, was perfectly justifiable.
    — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Although the initial school closures may have been justifiable (even if off-script in many locations), there was no plan on when and how to reopen.
    — David Zweig, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of justifiable
Verb
  • Addressing this issue requires a fundamental shift in how training data is collected and validated. 2.
    — Rahul Saluja, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Some shared their own experiences validating the usefulness of pre-wedding intel.
    — Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of validate
Adjective
  • Despite being a lawful permanent resident, the Trump administration has detained him since March and has sought to strip him of his legal status because of his role in the protests.
    — Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • There are students being advised not to go anywhere near a lawful, peaceful protest.
    — David Catanese, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025
Definition of lawful
Verb
  • This could be done by sanctioning the oil exported from the western-facing ports in Ust-Luga, Primorsk, on the Baltic Sea, as well as Novorossiysk on the Black Sea.
    — Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Nicholas Ferrone sanctioned their requests, according to the indictment.
    — Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of sanction
Verb
  • Caution and brand protection suggest privileging continuity over a lucky seasonal earning.
    — Matteo Atti, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • But how insensitive and privileged his response was.
    — Melanie Curry, refinery29.com, 17 Feb. 2025
Definition of privilege
Verb
  • In the coming months, the court will decide whether the death penalty against Mangione is warranted.
    — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • But now, Republicans in the state House of Representatives say the alleged misuse of funds may warrant a criminal investigation.
    — Greg Allen, NPR, 24 Apr. 2025
Definition of warrant

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Cite this Entry

“Legitimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legitimate. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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