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

The Mad King, however, refutes the legitimacy of any kind of prophecy, even going so far to reject the notion of destiny. — Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026

That's raised questions over the legal legitimacy of the offer – and spurred a look at other monetary promises Trump has made. — Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026

Five years later, 28 All Blacks returned to South Africa as the unofficial Cavaliers, defying an international boycott which helped sustain apartheid’s sporting legitimacy. — Daniel Gallan, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

In this social media ecosystem, legitimacy can be created through visibility and online consensus. — Sindhu Bhaskar, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026