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
But those in power refuted these links and instead emphasized the disloyalty and illegitimacy of disobeying the will of the majority.
—
Time, 2 July 2025
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
The power of the Grand Secretariat and the illegitimacy of dissent were hallmarks of imperial rule.
—Frank Lavin, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
From this perspective, the familiar elements of the Nativity—the stable, the shepherds, the Magi—were not meant to paper over the embarrassment at Jesus’ illegitimacy.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illegitimacy
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Time, 2 July 2025
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
The power of the Grand Secretariat and the illegitimacy of dissent were hallmarks of imperial rule.
—Frank Lavin, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
From this perspective, the familiar elements of the Nativity—the stable, the shepherds, the Magi—were not meant to paper over the embarrassment at Jesus’ illegitimacy.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 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 17 Sep. 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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