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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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 Parents could be legally held responsible if their minor child is convicted of vandalism. — Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026 That declaration restricted compounders from legally mass-producing versions of the drugs. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 28 Aug. 2026 The animal must be legally obtained with proper documentation (such as a receipt from a breeder), and there are specific housing requirements. — Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 28 Aug. 2026 Even while refusing to legally admit fault, Meta has tacitly accepted, for the first time, that much of its business model is unacceptable for children. — Nathaniel Lubin, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for legally

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legally

Adverb

Ultimately, the central question is no longer whether social media is inherently good or bad but how public health systems can ethically leverage its massive reach to improve health outcomes globally.

— Thu T. Nguyen, Baltimore Sun, 27 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of ethically

Adverb

All three countries will also need to create new regulatory regimes to make sure that Chinese firms operate fairly and do not continue to benefit from Beijing’s subsidies or from its discriminatory allocation of exports of essential inputs.

— Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026
The couple keeps their relationship fairly private, but Waggoner occasionally features Winter in posts online.

— Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 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