Synonym Chooser

How is the word legal different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of legal are lawful, legitimate, and licit. While all these words mean "being in accordance with law," legal applies to what is sanctioned by law or in conformity with the law, especially as it is written or administered by the courts.

legal residents of the state

When can lawful be used instead of legal?

The meanings of lawful and legal largely overlap; however, lawful may apply to conformity with law of any sort (such as natural, divine, common, or canon).

the lawful sovereign

Where would legitimate be a reasonable alternative to legal?

In some situations, the words legitimate and legal are roughly equivalent. However, legitimate may apply to a legal right or status but also, in extended use, to a right or status supported by tradition, custom, or accepted standards.

a perfectly legitimate question about taxes

When would licit be a good substitute for legal?

The words licit and legal can be used in similar contexts, but licit applies to a strict conformity to the provisions of the law and applies especially to what is regulated by law.

the licit use of drugs by doctors

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of legal Texas lawmakers rejected both the Smithsonian's cost estimates of transporting Discovery and the museum's legal claim of ownership. Josh Dinner, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2025 The upcoming legal drama All’s Fair marks one of the SKIMS founder’s first major acting roles. Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025 In early 2024, the sport’s biggest name became embroiled in legal controversy when his personal interpreter and close confidant, Ippei Mizuhara, was found to have wired large payments from the player’s account to a bookmaking operation then under federal investigation. Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025 For safety reasons, participants must be 15 years or older and those between the ages of 15 and 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for legal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legal
Adjective
  • To review or object to instances where our partners assert a legitimate interest in utilizing your data, please visit our vendors page.
    Walden Green, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Pauline describes the situation between Pittsburgh and Las Vegas as legitimate.
    Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • There is certainly one moral argument for taking games overseas, for saying that fans who follow their team from all corners of the world deserve to have their game and their heroes brought to them.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • If the scientists like Otto Frisch would have moral reservations about Britain’s use of the bomb, Maslov and Shpinel had no such concerns with regard to the use of the bomb against the capitalist states.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • For architecture fans, the hotel can help set up journeys to pagods and temples over 700 years old; other excursions on offer include trips to floating fishing villages such as Cửa Vạn and Vung Viêng and ethical pearl cultivation.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Courts have occasionally removed government lawyers from cases when an actual conflict of interest or serious ethical violation was proven.
    Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The home boasts clean lines, a sprawling backyard featuring a fire pit and a pool, as well as a home gym.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Some of these mountainsides have dislodged themselves deep in the bedrock, causing the face of a mountain to shear clean off — as has happened at least twice in the last two years.
    Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Key Takeaways While not necessarily unhealthy, Cheerios does contain a fair amount of carbohydrates, which can cause a blood sugar spike for some.
    Patty Weasler, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Game night flies by in a montage — the crutch of comedies that can’t sustain conversations and jokes at the same time (or, to be fair, feel crunched for time).
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 23 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Legal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legal. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on legal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!