Synonyms of legitimacy

legitimacy

noun

li-ˈji-tə-mə-sē 

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

• lawfulness
• legality
• rightfulness
• rightness
• permissibility
• permissibleness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• illegality
• illegitimacy
• unlawfulness
• wrongfulness
• immorality
• wickedness
• wrongness
• badness
• sinfulness
• criminality
• iniquity
• unconstitutionality
• unjustness
• iniquitousness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of legitimacy

There's opinion journalism, and then there are crackpot theories that get in the way of legitimacy. — Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Washington rejected the legitimacy of the 2018 election that returned Maduro to office and also considered his 2024 reelection fraudulent. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026

Analysts say the military government lacks the legitimacy to change the constitution, which has sparked discontent among the citizens. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026

The parallels helped establish esports’ legitimacy and gave non-gamers a familiar framework for understanding the competition. — Erica D. Henn, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026