legalist

noun

le·​gal·​ist ˈlē-gə-list How to pronounce legalist (audio)
1
: an advocate or adherent of moral legalism
2
: one that views things from a legal standpoint
especially : one that places primary emphasis on legal principles or on the formal structure of governmental institutions
legalistic adjective
legalistically adverb

Examples of legalist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
And then there’s Miles Teller, an actor of some renown who has just proved himself as wily and cunning a legalist as there might be. Richard Lawson, Vanities, 20 June 2017 And then there’s Miles Teller, an actor of some renown who has just proved himself as wily and cunning a legalist as there might be. Richard Lawson, Vanities, 20 June 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of legalist was in 1771

Dictionary Entries Near legalist

Cite this Entry

“Legalist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legalist. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.

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