legitimate

[li-jit-uh-mit, li-jit-uh-meyt] / lɪˈdʒɪt ə mɪt, lɪˈdʒɪt əˌmeɪt /

ADJECTIVE

authentic, valid, legal

Synonyms

STRONGEST

appropriate certain consistent correct fair genuine justifiable lawful logical natural normal proper real reasonable reliable rightful sensible statutory true well-founded

STRONG

accepted accredited acknowledged authorized good-faith received recognized sanctioned sound warranted

WEAK

admissible canonical cogent customary innocent just licit official on the level on the up and up orthodox probable regular sure typical usual verifiable

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abnormal affected counterfeit deceptive dishonest false illegal illegitimate improper incorrect invalid irrational irregular uncommon unconventional unfitting unreal unreasonable unreliable unsuitable untrustworthy

WEAK

unlawful unwarranted

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Some investors have access through special-purpose vehicles —a pooled secondary-market investment—that the companies themselves may not recognize as legitimate.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

The focus of its latest announcement is not so much an egg as an artificial eggshell — though the company defends its labeling the technology as an “artificial egg” as legitimate.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

On rare earths, the ministry said trade teams from both countries had extensive discussions on export-control issues and would jointly study and address each other’s legitimate concerns.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

He claimed that Cuba acted in "legitimate self-defence within its jurisdictional waters".

From BBC • May 20, 2026

There is of course a legitimate concern about reducing complicated phenomena to simple numerical scales or statistics.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

Vocabulary lists containing legitimate

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