LEGITIMATE Synonyms: 87 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

legitimate 1 of 2

adjective

li-ˈji-tə-mət

Definition of legitimate

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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legitimate

2 of 2

verb

as in to legitimize

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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

The lawsuit alleges deputies searched Murkerson's vehicle information without a legitimate investigative reason while his earlier civil rights case was pending. — Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 According to the document, prescriptions issued by Margulian and other medical professionals were not written for legitimate medical purposes in the usual course of professional practice. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Verb

And the fact that Pochettino’s contract is so close to expiring was only going to add to this type of rumor mill — and to legitimate interest and recruitment. — Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 29 May 2026 For schools, one bill would limit the use of student biometric data to legitimate instructional purposes, while another would prohibit teachers from using AI to assign grades on student work. — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for legitimate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimate

Adjective

That argument became central to the administration's legal claims that the ballroom must be built.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Advertisement Some may hesitate to perform CPR because of legal concerns over causing injury—like rib fractures—while administering CPR, but every state has Good Samaritan laws providing protections to people who render emergency aid in good faith.

— Meng Yang, Time, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of legal

Verb

Moreover, its lead in many technologies meant that the United States had much more to lose than to gain by legitimizing commercial spying.

— DAVID S. COHEN, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026
Seeking new crypto money, Christie’s and Sotheby’s cut all other legitimizing actors out of the loop with NFTs, elevating what might previously have been categorized as illustration, graphic art, or a social media meme to the status of fine art.

— Simon Denny, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of legitimize

Adjective

The most justifiable criticism against the DC detective series is that its mysteries play out wordily, without letting the audience in on how its space cops come to major conclusions.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Appalled by the failure to answer many questions, Democrats responded with what was often, though not always, justifiable outrage.

— David Wippman, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of justifiable

Verb

The measurements could help developers validate simulation tools and assess engineering decisions.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
During the test, the aircraft validated not only the takeoff system, but the ability to maneuver at various altitudes and make in-flight mission adjustments while the systems checked for airworthiness.

— David Szondy October 15, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of validate

Adjective

Attorney General Blanche has instructed the Civil Division to identify state and local laws, policies and practices that facilitate violations of federal law or impede lawful federal operations, the department said.

— Eric Henderson, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Minors can also temporarily possess firearms for lawful reasons, such as hunting or target practice.

— Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of lawful

Verb

The startup incubation program MiraclePlus, which was sanctioned along with Zhisuan, gave seed capital in exchange for an ownership stake in Zhisuan, the State Department said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Even to the point of being fined and sanctioned by the European Union courts for refusing to open their gates to unchecked immigration, in Hungary’s case under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, while Poland faced sanctions in 2025.

— Tyler Speicher, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of sanction

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“Legitimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legitimate. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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