illegitimate

il·le·git·i·mate

adj \-ˈji-tə-mət\

Definition of ILLEGITIMATE

1

: not recognized as lawful offspring; specifically : born of parents not married to each other

2

: not rightly deduced or inferred : illogical

3

: departing from the regular : erratic

4

a : not sanctioned by law : illegal b : not authorized by good usage c of a taxon : published but not in accordance with the rules of the relevant international code

— il·le·git·i·mate·ly adverb

Examples of ILLEGITIMATE

1. She thinks that my concerns are illegitimate.
2. They were fired from their jobs for illegitimate reasons.

First Known Use of ILLEGITIMATE

1536

Related to ILLEGITIMATE

Synonyms: baseborn, bastard, misbegotten, natural, spurious, supposititious, unfathered

Antonyms: legitimate

Related Words: fatherless, motherless; nameless; adopted, orphaned

Near Antonyms: ethical, good, just, principled, right, righteous, virtuous; allowed, permitted; authorized, licensed; approved, endorsed (also indorsed), sanctioned; abetted, encouraged, promoted, suggested, supported; correct, decent, decorous, proper, seemly

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi