Thesaurus

legitimate

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of legitimate

permitted by law

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

Synonyms of legitimate

lawful, legal, legit [slang], licit

Words Related to legitimate

allowable, authorized, noncriminal, permissible

justifiable, warrantable

de jure, regulation, statutory

good, innocent, just, proper, right

Near Antonyms of legitimate

bad, corrupt, evil, immoral, iniquitous, reprobate, sinful, wicked, wrong

banned, criminal, forbidden, guilty, impermissible, outlawed, prohibited, unauthorized, unjust

under-the-counter, under-the-table

nonconstitutional, unconstitutional

Antonyms of legitimate

illegal, illegitimate, illicit, lawless, unlawful, wrongful

Synonym Discussion of legitimate

lawful, legal, legitimate, licit mean being in accordance with law. lawful may apply to conformity with law of any sort (such as natural, divine, common, or canon).

- the lawful sovereign

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

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

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

Learn More about legitimate

See words that rhyme with legitimate Dictionary: Definition of legitimate Spanish Central: Translation of legitimate Nglish: Translation of legitimate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of legitimate for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up legitimate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments

WORD OF THE DAY

magniloquent

grandiloquent, ostentatious, or bombastic

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games