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

Related Words

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

Dissimilar Words

• 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

It's long been known that the spinning turbines of a wind farm can interfere with radar, obscuring legitimate targets and creating the appearance of false ones. —Michael Copley, NPR, 21 Jan. 2026

But for almost every legitimate study that concludes vaccines are beneficial, there are now counterparts that concerned mothers like Bright and LoConti can find online that raise concerns and fear about vaccines, Howard said. —Will Carless, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026

Verb

Now, the political and operational initiative — with the right to legitimate defense — is held by the party that both knows how to play it smart and avoids indiscriminate fire. —Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025

The only domestic organ that could have legitimated the strike is Congress, but it wasn’t even given the chance. —Andreas Kluth, Mercury News, 28 June 2025