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
But just before moving pictures started to proliferate in their nickelodeon infancy, the Shuberts saw an opportunity in the legitimate theater and grabbed it. —Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025 While the gas has legitimate uses in both the medical and culinary fields, questions remain about how it should be regulated. —Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
States have long sought to legitimate their foreign policies, because even grudging cooperation from others is less costly than mild resistance. —Barry R. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2018 As the warm glow of his Crimea success has faded, Putin has struggled to find a narrative to legitimate his rule. —Timothy Frye, Foreign Affairs, 26 Feb. 2022 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
  • American history itself documents the shifting boundaries of racial categories, a legal as well as a social status in the United States.
    — Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The county is required by law to hire outside legal counsel in cases brought against county employees if the complaint could reasonably lead to criminal charges.
    — Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of legal
Verb
  • Hastings added that Sarandos was looking to propel Netflix into original content and that an esteemed director like Fincher would legitimize the move into producing.
    — Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2025
  • By validating transactions within the blockchain database, these investors legitimize the currency for its user base.
    — Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of legitimize
Adjective
  • Given the demonstrated fan interest and commercial value of women's basketball, there's no justifiable reason to maintain this outdated format difference between the men's and women's tournaments.
    — Lindsey Darvin, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The promise of a $225,000 starting salary at a top corporate law firm is luring many, making the financial burden of law school seem more justifiable.
    — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of justifiable
Verb
  • Use free tools like social media, surveys, or pre-sales to validate demand quickly and cheaply.
    — Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Numerical evaluations are often used to validate the existence of a pure meritocracy, in which people are judged by the quality of their work rather than their identities.
    — Laura Clawson, JSTOR Daily, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of validate
Adjective
  • Green card holders, who are lawful permanent residents, have faced challenges in certain cases, including a recent Columbia graduate student and Palestinian activist, Mahmoud Khalil.
    — Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Applicants still need to meet requirements, such as having good moral character and being a lawful permanent resident at the time of their naturalization interview.
    — Celina Tebor, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of lawful
Verb
  • The Associated Press reports there are 14 states that have sanctioned girls flag football as a high school varsity sport.
    — Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The Kingpin Act prohibits anyone in the U.S. from engaging in deals or transactions with people or businesses sanctioned by the Treasury Department.
    — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of sanction
Verb
  • But how insensitive and privileged his response was.
    — Melanie Curry, refinery29.com, 17 Feb. 2025
  • Debates about congestion pricing have gone on for decades; in recent years the opposition has focused on the charge that the plan would privilege abstract environmental goals over the financial challenges of everyday workers driving into Manhattan below 60th Street, where the tolling is in effect.
    — Ginia Bellafante, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Definition of privilege
Verb
  • Strong winds are occurring but are not so strong as to warrant a High wind warning.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Even that mere hint, that he might have been judged more harshly than was warranted, does not ruffle him.
    — Rory Smith, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of warrant

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legitimacy
legitimate
legitimated
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Cite this Entry

“Legitimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legitimate. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of legitimate for Spanish Speakers

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