legitimate 1 of 2

legitimate

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verb

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of legitimate
Adjective
But Aoun’s presidency signals the changing political environment in another key way; unlike his predecessors, Aoun has not endorsed Hezbollah as a legitimate resistance movement. Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 15 May 2025 Rodgers would be a legitimate option for any quarterback-needy team. Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 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 See All Example Sentences for legitimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimate
Adjective
  • The result of this lack of effective legal representation can lead to unnecessary jail admissions or prison sentences, which then damage individuals, families and communities through incarceration and lost wages.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
  • A number of legal experts see Trump’s lawsuit as meritless, but the litigation comes as CBS-parent Paramount Global seeks Trump administration approval for its merger with Skydance.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • Then 28, Homa won his first PGA Tour event, legitimizing what had otherwise been a middling career.
    Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 21 May 2025
  • Amazon has taken strides to legitimize Amazon Ads as a true, standalone business unit.
    Kiri Masters, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • After winning 64 times out of 82, then four in a row to open the postseason, their attitude was justifiable.
    Tony East, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • Police classed the shooting as a justifiable homicide, the Los Angeles Times reported.
    Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Reddit commenters played a surprisingly influential role, often validating the OPs' concerns and urging them to picture married life down the road.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 May 2025
  • After validating that the entrants were at least 90 years old, they were evaluated on: 75 percent for creativity, originality, humor, or inspiration, and 25 percent for overall quality and how well the entry represented the Fireball spirit.
    Jeanette Hurt, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University graduate student and lawful permanent resident who has been detained by immigration authorities since March, is scheduled to appear at a pivotal immigration hearing Thursday that could determine his future in the United States.
    Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
  • The buyer, a U.K. citizen married to a U.S. citizen, was set to receive a green card but hadn’t had it long enough to meet the SBA’s new six-month lookback requirement for lawful permanent residents.
    Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • In a sport that was first sanctioned by the CIF San Diego Section in 2002, the Islanders had hung three section championship banners coming into the season.
    Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025
  • Evidence leans toward violations, though X disputes some claims, saying not all accounts are directly sanctioned.
    Ashley Belanger – May 15, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • From the vantage point of a chaotic bedtime, the safety concerns about melatonin can feel academic, privileging unknown or speculative harms (such as the possibility of long-term side effects) over the chance of immediate relief.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Caution and brand protection suggest privileging continuity over a lucky seasonal earning.
    Matteo Atti, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • This conservatism is warranted on hot, still summer days when everyone is cranking up their air conditioning, but such caution often restricts the amount of electricity available to customers.
    Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • Strong winds are occurring but are not so strong as to warrant a High wind warning.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Legitimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legitimate. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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