legalese
noun
le·gal·ese
ˌlē-gə-ˈlēz 
-ˈlēs
-ˈlēs
: the specialized language of the legal profession
replaced legalese with plain talk—
Steve Weinberg
Steve WeinbergExamples of legalese in a Sentence
I was confused by the legalese in the contract.
Recent Examples on the Web
Instead, consumers must search about 7,000 words into a privacy policy filled with legalese to find a link to the page.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
Trump’s executive order, then, enters this conversation not as a reform tool but as a political news release dressed in legalese.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025
And navigating coverage can feel like decoding legalese without a translator.
—Christer Holloman, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Its rhythms shift, as the warm interactions of the troupe contrast sharply with the drab legalese and agonizing emotional accounting required in the world beyond the theater’s walls.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for legalese
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Calmatters, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
Trump’s executive order, then, enters this conversation not as a reform tool but as a political news release dressed in legalese.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025
And navigating coverage can feel like decoding legalese without a translator.
—Christer Holloman, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Its rhythms shift, as the warm interactions of the troupe contrast sharply with the drab legalese and agonizing emotional accounting required in the world beyond the theater’s walls.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for legalese
Cite this Entry
“Legalese.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legalese. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
legalese
noun
le·gal·ese
ˌlē-gə-ˈlēz, -ˈlēs
: the specialized language of the legal profession
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