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
In a legitimately shocking turn of events, Gerry Turner, the inaugural Golden Bachelor, and his wife, Theresa Nist, are divorcing just three months after getting married on national television.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 12 Apr. 2024
Chinese companies have adopted the practice of licensing and remaking Korean films and TV shows in order to play down the origins of the story and to be able to legitimately claim that their titles now have Chinese nationality.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024
Owen revives Doug and tells him that his sister is a legitimately gifted doctor and Doug should find another line of work.
—Lincee Ray, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2024
In addition, Biden is seeking to dismiss the case by arguing that Weiss is not lawfully appointed or legitimately funded by Congress — a claim that his lawyers also filed in the Delaware case and that prosecutors have opposed.
—Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
For every legitimately classic classic-rock song KLOS plays, there’s another that makes the argument for rewriting the genre.
—Nate Rogers, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2024
Fact check: Biden plan would offer tax credits to homebuyers, not $400 a month to everyone
The agency has previously warned Americans about the potential for fraud and scams following a disaster, when many people may be legitimately seeking aid.
—Brieanna J. Frank, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2024
Patel’s attorney, Alex King, previously refuted those allegations, saying Patel’s lifestyle was paid for legitimately.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024
The problem with all of Netanyahu’s proposals is that his plan never explains who could legitimately rule Gaza.
—Ehud Barak, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2024
Sam Reed, Glamour, 12 Apr. 2024
Chinese companies have adopted the practice of licensing and remaking Korean films and TV shows in order to play down the origins of the story and to be able to legitimately claim that their titles now have Chinese nationality.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024
Owen revives Doug and tells him that his sister is a legitimately gifted doctor and Doug should find another line of work.
—Lincee Ray, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2024
In addition, Biden is seeking to dismiss the case by arguing that Weiss is not lawfully appointed or legitimately funded by Congress — a claim that his lawyers also filed in the Delaware case and that prosecutors have opposed.
—Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
For every legitimately classic classic-rock song KLOS plays, there’s another that makes the argument for rewriting the genre.
—Nate Rogers, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2024
Fact check: Biden plan would offer tax credits to homebuyers, not $400 a month to everyone
The agency has previously warned Americans about the potential for fraud and scams following a disaster, when many people may be legitimately seeking aid.
—Brieanna J. Frank, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2024
Patel’s attorney, Alex King, previously refuted those allegations, saying Patel’s lifestyle was paid for legitimately.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024
The problem with all of Netanyahu’s proposals is that his plan never explains who could legitimately rule Gaza.
—Ehud Barak, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'legitimately.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near legitimately
Cite this Entry
“Legitimately.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legitimately. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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