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

Residential proxies have legitimate uses, but criminals can also use them to disguise where their activity originates. — Jesse Watson , Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026 DePena initially obtained a $150,000 loan in June 2020 and used most of it for legitimate business expenses, according to prosecutors. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 14 Aug. 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

The death sentence complicates any extradition under Russian law, but a decision not to hand over a former close ally to face justice would be far more political than legal, experts say.

— Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Bragg's office contends that the state charges, including murder and firearms offenses, involve different legal elements and criminal conduct than federal charges, which alleged Mangione traveled across state lines to stalk and kill Thompson.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of legal

Verb

Rather than continuing to work to legitimize her rule through support for the common people per Mysaria's counsel, Rhaenyra opted for the show of brute force Daemon has been all too eager to lead the charge on.

— Megan McCluskey, Time, 10 Aug. 2026
The company is abandoning the $799 price point, with the Pixel 11 expected to start at $899 for 256GB storage, legitimizing a wider industry shift to higher base storage and prices.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of legitimize

Adjective

The valuation of Fernandez is entirely justifiable within the context of the huge fees paid by several Premier League clubs, and specifically City, for high-level central midfielders this summer.

— Liam Twomey, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Having lost its attempt to invalidate the FCC’s process for issuing financial penalties, Verizon now wants another chance to argue that the fine itself wasn’t legally justifiable.

— Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of justifiable

Verb

The funding will help CAEPlus continue developing and validating BoundaryCool, while Molex contributes engineering expertise and experience in scaling hardware technologies.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Aug. 2026
That legislation, stalled in Congress, would establish a clear regulatory framework for crypto and help validate the relatively new industry’s place in the broader financial landscape.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of validate

Adjective

Legal experts assert the President cannot unilaterally redefine constitutional rights or circumvent Supreme Court decisions, urging him to accept the ruling and pursue lawful legislative or amendment processes instead of executive improvisation.

— Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Prosecutors believe the network collected tens of millions of dollars from foreign nationals seeking lawful permanent resident status, the Justice Department said.

— Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of lawful

Verb

Meanwhile, violence against women has effectively been sanctioned by law.

— Kara Fox, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
One counterargument to the policy of applying economic pressure is that the US has been sanctioning Iran, like a handful of other nations, for decades without sparking meaningful political change.

— Magdalena Del Valle, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of sanction

Verb

Aparicio resists drawing conclusions, privileging an experiential approach with its own rhythms, ambitious in scope yet intimate in focus, that could well become an arthouse sleeper.

— Jay Weissberg, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
That privileges independent voters for whom name recognition might matter more than ideology.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of privilege

Verb

Then Yan, who turns 30 Monday, took off in 2026, pitching well enough in the minors to warrant a callup this month, immediately after the Mets’ trade deadline selloff.

— Will Sammon, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Rooms The Venetian has always liked to remind would-be visitors that every room is a suite, and in this case, the room sizes really do warrant the frequent callouts.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of warrant

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“Legitimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legitimate. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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