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legitimate

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verb

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
By becoming a compact state and having access to this crucial database, Illinois would enhance public safety and increase access to legitimate massage services. Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025 This was what the Knicks had been missing all season: a legitimate back-line anchor capable of dictating defensive rotations with his presence alone. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
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 Image In 2023, Japanese regulators updated government guidelines to encourage companies to give serious consideration to legitimate takeover offers. River Akira Davis, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for legitimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimate
Adjective
  • When splitting retirement plans, a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is a legal document that is used to facilitate the split.
    Heather L. Locus, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • But, every time the legal system failed one of her clients, her faith in it was rattled.
    Sarah Lustbader, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Worse, social media legitimizes these unattainable criteria by validating minor turn-offs as dealbreakers.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Congressional hearings in 2022 and 2023 further legitimized the topic, with intelligence officials emphasizing national security concerns.
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In many cases, anger and resentment are valid, justifiable responses in conflict.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Many promising young people, making government service as a career, have been suddenly fired without justifiable reason.
    Peter Buonome, Hartford Courant, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Instead of following a purely linear project plan, effective project leaders focus on steps to successfully validate the problem – and the solution identified to solve it – while never giving up the drive to meet project milestones and achieve financial objectives.
    John M. Bremen, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • But this demo only validated part of the technology required for space debris removal.
    Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Beyond legal resistance, businesses must recognize that these executive actions do not prevent private employers from maintaining lawful DEI strategies.
    Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Green cards, or lawful permanent resident cards, allow eligible immigrants to live and work permanently in the United States.
    Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The cargo vessel was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2022 for transporting weapons for the Russian military, according to Reuters.
    Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
  • But last week, reports revealed that the longtime legislator owned a stake in a third-party electric supplier that was repeatedly sanctioned by PURA before the company had its license pulled early last year.
    John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Woo used the trip to reassure Xi that a DP government in South Korea would privilege better relations with his country, and Xi’s decision to meet with Woo personally signaled just how happy China is to hear this.
    Ian Bremmer, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Caution and brand protection suggest privileging continuity over a lucky seasonal earning.
    Matteo Atti, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Syed's conviction was overturned by a circuit judge in 2016, who found that a failure by defense at his trial to challenge cell tower information warranted a new trial.
    Chloe Atkins, NBC News, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Still, members of Congress are not convinced that the layoffs were warranted with bipartisan lawmakers demanding clarity on the extent of the cuts and their impact on services.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 27 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Legitimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legitimate. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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