LEGITIMACY Synonyms: 20 Similar and Opposite Words

legitimacy

noun

li-ˈji-tə-mə-sē

Definition of legitimacy

as in lawfulness

the quality or state of being legal the legitimacy of the military dictatorship was not recognized by most other nations

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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 legitimacy The late-twentieth-century rise of Islamic states and movements followed an earlier ideological transformation in the opposite direction, as secular projects lost legitimacy and political Islam gained influence. — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026 Israel views the movement as an attack on the legitimacy of the Jewish state. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026 Dozens of medical professionals have openly promoted access to retatrutide, and some sellers have been aided by an independent, blue-chip certification that gives them the appearance of legitimacy and the ability to advertise it on social media. — Daniel Gilbert, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 Certainly there were clear taboos, beginning with questioning the legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party and criticizing the country’s central leadership. — Howard W. French, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for legitimacy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimacy

Noun

Andrew recently initiated legal proceedings against the Thames Valley Police and asked a judge to review the lawfulness of his arrest.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 7 Oct. 2026
Lawmakers and legal experts questioned the lawfulness of such protections.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of lawfulness

Noun

The Pearsons’ group, Memphis Community Against Pollution, has questioned the legality of the company’s use of gas turbines at the data centers, alleging violations of the Clean Air Act and raising concerns about air quality.

— Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
Lincoln lost that year, but the country benefited from their arguments over the legality and morality of slavery.

— Editorial Board, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of legality

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legit

legitimacy

legitimate

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“Legitimacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legitimacy. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of legitimacy

noun

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