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

The Catholic faith morally opposes the death penalty, yet many of the state’s top Catholic leaders have supported measures to expand it.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026
McAdam later said Dominguez was incapable of understanding that his acts were morally and legally wrong.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of morally

Adverb

But Adames could not cleanly field the ball, and one batter later, ex-Giants catcher Patrick Bailey singled to score Ramirez for a 3-0 Cleveland lead.

— Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026
Katsis struggled to catch the ball cleanly earlier in camp but has come on strong.

— Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 20 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