illegitimacy
noun
il·le·git·i·ma·cy
ˌi-li-ˈji-tə-mə-sē 
1
: the quality or state of being illegitimate
2
Examples of illegitimacy in a Sentence
she had learned of her illegitimacy while rummaging through old family records in the attic
Recent Examples on the Web
Nan’s illegitimacy became a big subject of conversation last season when the news leaked out ahead of her engagement to Theo.
—
Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 18 June 2025
He was concerned with how a great power handles multiple internal crises—the faltering of the institutions of domestic order, the craftiness of unmoored and venal politicians, the first tremors of systemic illegitimacy.
—Charles King, Foreign Affairs, 30 June 2020
Advertisement The Islamic Republic’s illegitimacy is laid bare not only in its horrific human rights record but in its strategic failures.
—Nazanin Boniadi, Time, 17 June 2025
The power of the Grand Secretariat and the illegitimacy of dissent were hallmarks of imperial rule.
—Frank Lavin, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
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Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 18 June 2025
He was concerned with how a great power handles multiple internal crises—the faltering of the institutions of domestic order, the craftiness of unmoored and venal politicians, the first tremors of systemic illegitimacy.
—Charles King, Foreign Affairs, 30 June 2020
Advertisement The Islamic Republic’s illegitimacy is laid bare not only in its horrific human rights record but in its strategic failures.
—Nazanin Boniadi, Time, 17 June 2025
The power of the Grand Secretariat and the illegitimacy of dissent were hallmarks of imperial rule.
—Frank Lavin, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for illegitimacy
Cite this Entry
“Illegitimacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illegitimacy. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
illegitimacy
noun
il·le·git·i·ma·cy
ˌil-i-ˈjit-ə-mə-sē
: the quality or state of being illegitimate
Legal Definition
illegitimacy
noun
il·le·git·i·ma·cy
ˌi-li-ˈji-tə-mə-sē
: the quality or state of being illegitimate
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