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

In legal filings, lawyers for California say the request threatens to delay the certification of the vote and undermine the legitimacy of the November midterms. — ABC News, 23 Oct. 2026

The appearance of legitimacy is further reinforced by a panel of three experts who provide commentary on what’s happening in the pod. — Judy Berman, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Though performance had long been part of English culture, the permanency of the sites in London granted the business of playing new cultural legitimacy and esteem. — Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026

The number of secretary of state candidates who deny the legitimacy of the 2020 election has declined since the last midterm, from 13 candidates in 2022 to seven in 2026. — Thom Reilly, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026