Synonyms of illegitimacy

illegitimacy

noun

ˌi-li-ˈji-tə-mə-sē 

as in spuriousness

the state or fact of being born out of wedlock

she had learned of her illegitimacy while rummaging through old family records in the attic

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spuriousness
• bastardy
• bar sinister

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• legitimacy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of illegitimacy

In addition to this war’s illegitimacy under international law, Washington has a long record of failing to achieve political results favorable to American interests after using military force in the Middle East. — David Mednicoff, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026

An air of illegitimacy, particularly in the face of febrile nationalism, will undermine the new rulers. — Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2026

Likewise, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha underscored Maduro’s illegitimacy, pointing to the Venezuelan leader’s reliance on Russian President Vladimir Putin as an ally. — Laura Kelly, The Hill, 3 Jan. 2026

But doing so would give Yoon the best chance of upending the entrenched narrative of colonial-authoritarian illegitimacy that has prevented South Korea and Japan from settling their disputes over the past for so long. — Eun A Jo, Foreign Affairs, 23 Nov. 2022