as in lawfulness
the quality or state of being legal
the legitimacy of the military dictatorship was not recognized by most other nations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 legitimacy
The very player challenging the legitimacy of their playoff series win on a recent podcast stream with his teammate Jordan Walsh.
—
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
But if those now ascending within the Islamic Republic recognize that national resilience requires political legitimacy, this pause in the fighting could mark the beginning of a different path.
—Pegah Banihashemi, Time, 10 Apr. 2026
Questions about who to pay, in what currency, and the legitimacy of a new toll process remain unclear.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
In watching her sons evolve in their careers, Rumiko has come to recognize the legitimacy of a career in golf.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legitimacy
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
But if those now ascending within the Islamic Republic recognize that national resilience requires political legitimacy, this pause in the fighting could mark the beginning of a different path.
—Pegah Banihashemi, Time, 10 Apr. 2026
Questions about who to pay, in what currency, and the legitimacy of a new toll process remain unclear.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
In watching her sons evolve in their careers, Rumiko has come to recognize the legitimacy of a career in golf.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legitimacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimacy
Noun
-
The petitions are not contesting removal orders, only the lawfulness of detaining the noncitizen plaintiffs during those proceedings.—
Tasha Carvell,
Twin Cities,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The lawfulness of an order would be determined by a military judge.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Custom, in this sense, is established if a practice at sea is seen as consistent and is backed by wide agreement over its legality.—
Elizabeth Mendenhall,
Fortune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Laws governing political parties' spending in coordination with federal candidates could be changing in the next few months, since the Supreme Court is expected to rule by June on the legality of the caps.—
Gabe Kaminsky,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Legitimacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legitimacy. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
