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
The test was not made by a professional assessment company and does not legitimately assess professional knowledge related to the subjects teachers teach.
—Emery Petchauer, The Conversation, 4 Nov. 2025
Of course, Jayden Daniels' legitimately upsetting arm injury became the news of the day.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
As anyone who saw his early New York performances still attests, Dylan was also legitimately funny, and the comic timing on display in these tapes is another revelation.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025
Brock Purdy’s return seems close and, after Mac Jones’ woeful performance Sunday, is legitimately anticipated.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legitimately
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Emery Petchauer, The Conversation, 4 Nov. 2025
Of course, Jayden Daniels' legitimately upsetting arm injury became the news of the day.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
As anyone who saw his early New York performances still attests, Dylan was also legitimately funny, and the comic timing on display in these tapes is another revelation.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025
Brock Purdy’s return seems close and, after Mac Jones’ woeful performance Sunday, is legitimately anticipated.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 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 Nov. 2025.
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