LEGALLY Synonyms: 16 Similar and Opposite Words

legally

adverb

ˈlē-gə-lē

Definition of legally

as in ethically

according to the rules or the law that's not a move that can be made legally in chess

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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 legally After October 19, if that problem falls under one of the new exceptions, those benefits will no longer be legally protected—but airlines can still choose to provide them. — Bailey Berg, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2026 But local collection, holding euros, lowering conversion costs and having an account legally held in that country are separate needs. — Andreas Schweitzer, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026 People who knew the 27-year-old model felt that Resolutions Living should’ve referred him to a facility that’s legally authorized to offer detox, counseling, group sessions and treatment planning, according to TMZ. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 24 Sep. 2026 In fact, the events that led to OpenAI’s presence in Georgia were so secretive local officials are under nondisclosure agreements that legally prohibit them from talking about it. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for legally

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legally

Adverb

But what is the point of trying to enlarge our sympathies if a writer reserves such gestures for ethically perfect people?

— Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
Ramos then outlined how to ethically look for animals that slither and slide in the wild.

— Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of ethically

Adverb

Its students arrive morally outraged, a priori puritans, while its professors are enervated and dissatisfied.

— Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
There are games, tests and temptations designed to test the competitors physically, mentally, and morally before one walks away with the prize.

— Peter White, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of morally

Adverb

Set in modern-day Buffalo, Don’t Go Gentle follows Tanya Jenkins, a mother and Army medic who was honorably discharged.

— Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2026
Nash was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 2016 and worked as a contractor overseas, teaching pilots to fly F-15.

— Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of honorably

Adverb

The Giants scored both of their runs with two outs in the fourth on Whitcomb’s pop-fly single that fell just fair near the right-field line.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
Climate was top of the agenda at Première Vision Paris as the global textiles fair took place in the still-sweltering 27-degree Centigrade (about 80 degrees Fahrenheit) heat following a summer marred by record heat across Europe.

— Ellen Groves, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of fair

Adverb

Hoerner got Chicago’s hit on a grounder that Machado stopped with difficulty, but couldn’t transfer to his throwing hand cleanly enough to make a play.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026
The context an engineer had while building a feature doesn’t travel cleanly to the person troubleshooting it in the field six months later.

— Yu Fang, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of cleanly

Adverb

Before things kicked off, a chant devoted to keeping the earth clean echoed at the beach.

— Shardaa Gray, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
That's especially proven in season 2, when — after coming clean to her team about holding Sir captive — Gabi's closest allies turn their backs on her.

— Dave Quinn, People.com, 10 Oct. 2024

Definition of clean

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“Legally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legally. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of legally

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