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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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 Wilson said many of the electric motorcycles popular with teens are designed as off-road dirt bikes and cannot legally be ridden on public streets. — Tori Mason, CBS News, 31 July 2026 This is bolstered by the fact that no one has ever been legally allowed to drive on of these cars home in real life. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 31 July 2026 The deal also gives Asteria access to ZeroGen, ZeroSpace’s generative AI platform that aims to let studios generate content within legal guidelines, helping enterprise customers avoid the legally murky areas of copyright issues. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 31 July 2026 Authorities said Welch married the woman again in Virginia that October despite still being legally married to his first wife. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for legally

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legally

Adverb

McIlrath said prosecutors and other investigating agencies are ethically prohibited from sharing information or making statements that could harm the fairness of legal process by influencing witnesses or prejudicing the grand jury.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 31 July 2026
Coursera founder Daphne Koller shared her early fascination with programming and mathematical models, expressing hope that AI can be deployed ethically to create a better, more egalitarian world.

— John Werner, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of ethically

Adverb

The Australian miner with closest ties to China, Forrest was annoyed by CMRG’s attack, calling on the commodity buying cartel to ‘negotiate fairly’.

— Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
The adaptive dampers still do a fairly good job of smoothing out the ride on Colorado’s concrete highways, and the Corvette’s other charms remain intact.

— Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of fairly

Adverb

Forced into an uneasy cohabitation, the two navigate a sweet yet morally complex web of secrets and survival.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Football is full of cautionary tales (and, for the sake of balance, morally-dubious fairy tales) about the risks and rewards of taking on finance adjacent to or entangled with politics.

— James Horncastle, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Definition of morally

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

Special events Each year, the state fair organizes a slate of special events, and this year is no exception.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
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

Definition of fair

Adverb

Owners who have tracked and documented their compensation and personal expenses cleanly over several years remove an entire category of negotiating vulnerability.

— Robert Indries, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
The teeth can snag or rip delicate cake instead of cutting cleanly.

— Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 28 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
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