as in lawfulness
the quality or state of being legal
the legitimacy of the military dictatorship was not recognized by most other nations
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of legitimacy
The result of his efforts has been far-reaching, with experts pointing to a newfound sense of legitimacy toward UAP footage and documentation.
—
Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026
In Lebanon’s fragile political system, power is divided among religious communities, and the Army’s cross-sectarian legitimacy depends on being seen as an institution—one of the few—that can stand above those divides.
—Euan Ward, New Yorker, 29 May 2026
That, in our view, is sufficient grounds for a lawsuit to challenge the legitimacy of the city’s action.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2026
Cuban officials said the U.S. government lack the legitimacy and jurisdiction to carry out their action.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for legitimacy
Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026
In Lebanon’s fragile political system, power is divided among religious communities, and the Army’s cross-sectarian legitimacy depends on being seen as an institution—one of the few—that can stand above those divides.
—Euan Ward, New Yorker, 29 May 2026
That, in our view, is sufficient grounds for a lawsuit to challenge the legitimacy of the city’s action.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2026
Cuban officials said the U.S. government lack the legitimacy and jurisdiction to carry out their action.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for legitimacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimacy
Noun
-
That decision found a lower court judge who had sided with Khalil and freed him from a Louisiana lockup lacked the legal authority to weigh in on the lawfulness of the detention.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
22 May 2026
-
The ruling follows a legal challenge by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) over the lawfulness of a December 2022 parliament vote.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
The debate surrounding grizzly hunting tends to extend beyond simple questions of legality.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
-
Federal attorneys didn’t argue if arrest was justified Castañeda Mondragón filed a writ of habeas corpus to challenge the legality of his detention.—
Mara H. Gottfried,
Twin Cities,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Legitimacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legitimacy. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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