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
Things will look a whole lot rosier if players like Simon Edvinsson go from interesting young players to legitimately consistent, top-of-the-lineup contributors.
—The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
The Commanders legitimately have Super Bowl aspirations.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2025
Newsome has been talked about for awhile as a potential trade candidate and could legitimately get moved before the NFL trade deadline this year.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
This is legitimately a big fight.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legitimately
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The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
The Commanders legitimately have Super Bowl aspirations.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2025
Newsome has been talked about for awhile as a potential trade candidate and could legitimately get moved before the NFL trade deadline this year.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
This is legitimately a big fight.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 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 29 Sep. 2025.
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