Synonyms of legitimate

legitimate 1 of 2

adjective

li-ˈji-tə-mət 

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

• legal
• justifiable
• lawful
• authorized
• legit
• regulation
• licit
• allowable
• good
• constitutional
• permissible
• proper
• statutory
• noncriminal
• right
• warrantable
• innocent
• just
• de jure

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• illegal
• illegitimate
• unlawful
• illicit
• wrongful
• wrong
• bad
• criminal
• evil
• corrupt
• immoral
• wicked
• guilty
• sinful
• prohibited
• unauthorized
• forbidden
• unjust
• impermissible
• lawless
• iniquitous
• unconstitutional
• reprobate
• outlawed
• banned
• under-the-table
• under-the-counter
• nonconstitutional

legitimate

2 of 2

verb

as in to legitimize

Related Words

• legitimize
• validate
• sanction
• privilege
• warrant
• qualify
• authorize
• license
• enable
• entitle
• approve
• endorse
• empower
• certificate
• permit
• enfranchise
• let
• certify
• ratify
• charter
• allow
• reaccredit
• accredit
• reapprove
• revalidate
• recertify
• recharter

Dissimilar Words

• invalidate
• nullify
• disable
• delegitimize
• forbid
• disqualify
• proscribe
• disallow
• disenfranchise
• disempower
• decertify

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

Recent Examples of legitimate

Adjective

Jim Cavanaugh, a retired agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives who is now an NBC News law enforcement analyst, said he’s not convinced the ransom note is legitimate. —Rich Schapiro, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026

The New York Giants running back is simultaneously building a streaming audience and flirting with a WWE career while putting up legitimate on-field stats. —Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2026

Verb

Clive may or may not have considered his roommate Eugene something more than a roommate, but what’s certain is that any love that took root in their apartment would have had to be legitimated by the law in order to be protected by and from it. —Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 26 July 2025

Now, the political and operational initiative — with the right to legitimate defense — is held by the party that both knows how to play it smart and avoids indiscriminate fire. —Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025