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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 legally According to a source, the stars were already legally married but wanted to celebrate with friends and family, including their then-infant daughter, Wyatt. — Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026 In order to have legally operated the drone, Alvarez must have obtained an airman’s certificate and a waiver, among other requirements, according to the statement. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 July 2026 In their view, being equal means that people are the same in all ways that matter legally; policies built on group differences must therefore be rejected as treating people unequally before the law. — Teresa M. Bejan, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026 American Mission’s ads are independent expenditures, so the political committee cannot legally coordinate with the campaign or get Donalds’ approval. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for legally

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legally

Adverb

Indeed, humanity will likely merge with robots in meaningful and ethically confounding ways, according to Brin.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 3 July 2026
Which is ethically tricky, to say the least.

— O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 26 June 2026

Definition of ethically

Adverb

Patients depend on the agency to evaluate therapies rigorously and fairly; innovators depend on predictable regulatory pathways; and investors depend on confidence that scientific evidence will guide decision-making.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 14 July 2026
The issue appeared to be fairly bipartisan as well, with Democrats backing the idea by a margin of 37 percentage points and Republicans supporting it by a margin of 13.

— Paxton Honerkamp, CNBC, 14 July 2026

Definition of fairly

Adverb

However, it was reduced to disorderly conduct and he was discharged honorably.

— Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026
To be absolutely clear, nobody, except maybe Melanie, is behaving honorably here, but a good Love Island story line isn’t measured in admirable behavior; it is measured in juice — and Melanie, Corbin, Kenzie, and Caleb have it.

— Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 16 June 2026

Definition of honorably

Adverb

Post-Fair, an alternative art fair held in a Santa Monica post office that was launched by gallerist Chris Sharp in 2025, will expand to Paris this October.

— News Desk, Artforum, 9 July 2026
When the long-running contemporary art fair Artissima opens its 33rd edition in late October, 180 galleries from 35 countries will welcome visitors to the Oval, a vast former Olympic speed skating facility that has hosted the fair since 2010.

— Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of fair

Adverb

Synthetic cells allow scientists to more cleanly test how the surrounding membrane separates the inside of a cell from its environment, how genetic instructions are read, how energy is used, and how growth and division are coordinated.

— Tara Deans, The Conversation, 8 July 2026
The best opportunity for Portugal came through Nuno Mendes, whose deflected shot rocketed off the crossbar after cleanly beating Spanish keeper Unai Simón.

— Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 6 July 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
Original price: $13.99 These Neutrogena pre-moistened facial cleansing towelettes gently remove makeup and dissolve dirt for fresh, clean-looking skin.

— Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2025