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
That does not mean that the message cannot be legitimately criticized as reckless at a time of increasing political violence.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
Some of those things were bad the first time, and some are legitimately worse in ways that can be ...
—Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 15 May 2025
Nevertheless, those who saw this intentionally schlocky sci-fi horror comedy at the right age report being legitimately frightened by the alien invaders.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 9 May 2025
But what credentials does Dubai have to legitimately become the next global financial hub?
—Lissele Pratt, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for legitimately
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Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
Some of those things were bad the first time, and some are legitimately worse in ways that can be ...
—Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 15 May 2025
Nevertheless, those who saw this intentionally schlocky sci-fi horror comedy at the right age report being legitimately frightened by the alien invaders.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 9 May 2025
But what credentials does Dubai have to legitimately become the next global financial hub?
—Lissele Pratt, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for legitimately
Cite this Entry
“Legitimately.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legitimately. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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