ILLEGITIMACY Synonyms: 4 Similar and Opposite Words

illegitimacy

noun

ˌi-li-ˈji-tə-mə-sē

Definition of illegitimacy

as in spuriousness

the state or fact of being born out of wedlock she had learned of her illegitimacy while rummaging through old family records in the attic

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

legitimacy

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 illegitimacy The election illegitimacy lies, which are actually right out of the KGB playbook, need to be met with a constructive dialogue with a reasonable timeline, to finally update, modernize, and make voting welcoming and easy to access for every American. — Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 24 Mar. 2026 In addition to this war’s illegitimacy under international law, Washington has a long record of failing to achieve political results favorable to American interests after using military force in the Middle East. — David Mednicoff, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026 Ned wishes to reveal Joffrey’s illegitimacy, but is instead betrayed by Littlefinger (Aidan Gillen), imprisoned by Cersei, and beheaded in a public execution on Joffrey's orders. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 2 June 2026 Likewise, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha underscored Maduro’s illegitimacy, pointing to the Venezuelan leader’s reliance on Russian President Vladimir Putin as an ally. — Laura Kelly, The Hill, 3 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for illegitimacy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for illegitimacy

bastardy

Noun

Johanna Luthman, a historian at the University of North Georgia, has worked for years to understand the practice and repercussions of fornication, adultery and bastardy among the early 17th-century English aristocracy.

— Richard Davenport-Hines, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2017

Definition of bastardy

Browse Nearby Words

illegible

illegitimacy

illegitimate

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Illegitimacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/illegitimacy. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of illegitimacy

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on illegitimacy

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

tacit

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes