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 Residents are legally required to throw sharps away correctly. — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 In August 2024, PEOPLE also confirmed that Jolie’s daughter Shiloh, who was born Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, had legally changed her name to Shiloh Jolie. — Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026 The judge will then determine whether the dogs should be legally designated as dangerous, which could result in strict requirements for confining the dogs or even in dogs being euthanized. — Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026 Employees already use smartphones with similar capabilities, making bans inconsistent and legally challenging, particularly for assistive technology users. — Jason Walker Psyd, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for legally

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legally

Adverb

The letter comes while the platforms are under increasing scrutiny for allowing bets on ethically sensitive topics such as the outcomes of elections, military actions, clinical trials and FDA approvals on livesaving medications.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
For diseases where randomized trials are slow, expensive or ethically constrained, that combination is genuinely new.

— David Talby, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of ethically

Adverb

Clarify the expectation, price your time fairly, and choose one daily improvement that protects your energy while helping your confidence become more consistent.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026
Although most modern dishwashers are designed to run fairly often, experts say running your dishwasher every day might put your machine—and wallet—at risk.

— Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of fairly

Adverb

But a fissure remains between those actors who stay morally opposed to cloning, and those who embrace this new reality.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Bardem plays Miguel, a celebrated architect tempted by a morally dubious but hugely lucrative commission to build a secret survivalist bunker for a reclusive tech billionaire, Andrew (Paul Dano).

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of morally

Adverb

Both shows make use of the parody defense, of course, that being the sly way for comedic artists to cash in on someone else’s intellectual property by insisting that their motives are honorably satirical.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
Both congressmen honorably served in the Middle East, while Moulton has promoted his veteran status during his Senate campaign.

— Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of honorably

Adverb

The goal is to advance an industry that's still in its infancy but has enormous potential for cleanly generating large amounts of electricity.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
Brown noted that Fortescue generates offense just by cleanly transitioning pucks out of the defensive zone.

— Peter Baugh, New York Times, 25 Aug. 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