Synonyms of legitimate

legitimate 1 of 2

adjective

li-ˈji-tə-mət 

as in legal

permitted by law

the mistrust created among investors by the financial scandal has hurt even companies engaged in wholly legitimate business practices

Synonyms & Similar Words

• legal
• justifiable
• lawful
• authorized
• legit
• regulation
• licit
• allowable
• good
• constitutional
• permissible
• proper
• statutory
• noncriminal
• right
• warrantable
• innocent
• just
• de jure

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• illegal
• illegitimate
• unlawful
• illicit
• wrongful
• wrong
• bad
• criminal
• evil
• corrupt
• immoral
• wicked
• guilty
• sinful
• prohibited
• unauthorized
• forbidden
• unjust
• impermissible
• lawless
• iniquitous
• unconstitutional
• reprobate
• outlawed
• banned
• under-the-table
• under-the-counter
• nonconstitutional

legitimate

2 of 2

verb

as in to legitimize

Synonyms & Similar Words

• legitimize
• validate
• sanction
• privilege
• warrant
• qualify
• authorize
• license
• enable
• entitle
• approve
• endorse
• empower
• indorse
• certificate
• licence
• permit
• enfranchise
• let
• certify
• ratify
• charter
• accredit
• allow
• reaccredit
• reapprove
• revalidate
• recertify
• recharter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• invalidate
• nullify
• disable
• delegitimize
• forbid
• disqualify
• proscribe
• disallow
• disenfranchise
• disempower
• decertify

Synonym Chooser

How is the word legitimate different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of legitimate are lawful, legal, and licit. While all these words mean "being in accordance with law," legitimate may apply to a legal right or status but also, in extended use, to a right or status supported by tradition, custom, or accepted standards.

a perfectly legitimate question about taxes

When is it sensible to use lawful instead of legitimate?

The synonyms lawful and legitimate are sometimes interchangeable, but lawful may apply to conformity with law of any sort (such as natural, divine, common, or canon).

the lawful sovereign

When can legal be used instead of legitimate?

While in some cases nearly identical to legitimate, legal applies to what is sanctioned by law or in conformity with the law, especially as it is written or administered by the courts.

legal residents of the state

In what contexts can licit take the place of legitimate?

Although the words licit and legitimate have much in common, licit applies to a strict conformity to the provisions of the law and applies especially to what is regulated by law.

the licit use of drugs by doctors

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of legitimate

Adjective

The messages also mimic legitimate government communications by including familiar terms, official-sounding codes and web addresses that appear authentic. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 June 2025

Those developer accounts once distributed legitimate apps, but have been compromised for this malicious campaign. —Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025

Verb

In response, elites double down, weaponizing the claim of misinformation to legitimate the stifling of debate. —Jacob Hale Russell, TIME, 4 Mar. 2025

Channeling their legacy of opposing power politics, internationalism and international organization would legitimate the American domination of power politics like no lone nationalism or limited alliance could. —Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 9 Feb. 2025