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
Critics of tariffs have plenty to legitimately complain about.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
The term point forward gets thrown around a lot, but Thomas legitimately serves as Phoenix’s offensive initiator.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
My wife was confused because that legitimately never happens.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
That feud is also remembered for its intensity, as Rollins legitimately broke Cena's nose with a knee strike during a match on Raw.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legitimately
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Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
The term point forward gets thrown around a lot, but Thomas legitimately serves as Phoenix’s offensive initiator.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
My wife was confused because that legitimately never happens.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
That feud is also remembered for its intensity, as Rollins legitimately broke Cena's nose with a knee strike during a match on Raw.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 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 8 Sep. 2025.
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