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
Among Republicans, 36% agree the judiciary is legitimately exercising its power and a slim 51% majority says the president can’t ignore court rulings.
—Dana Blanton, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025
From Kit Suppliers to Headline Sponsors Which brands are most legitimately poised to get involved?
—Katie Baron, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
At full strength, the Panthers have 15 forwards who could legitimately have a case for their 12 spots in the lineup.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
The episode is a pulse-pounding thriller that immerses viewers in an unforgiving world before dropping a legitimately shocking and deeply disturbing twist that turns everything on its head.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legitimately
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Dana Blanton, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025
From Kit Suppliers to Headline Sponsors Which brands are most legitimately poised to get involved?
—Katie Baron, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
At full strength, the Panthers have 15 forwards who could legitimately have a case for their 12 spots in the lineup.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
The episode is a pulse-pounding thriller that immerses viewers in an unforgiving world before dropping a legitimately shocking and deeply disturbing twist that turns everything on its head.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 10 Apr. 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 1 May. 2025.
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