Synonyms for legitimate
lɪˈdʒɪt ə mɪt; -ˌmeɪtle·git·i·mate

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. legitimate

   That is authentic which is true to the facts; that is genuine which is true to its own claims; as, authentic history; genuine money.

   A 'genuine' work is one written by the author whose name it bears; an 'authentic' work is one which relates truthfully the matters of which it treats. For example, the apocryphal Gospel of St. Thomas is neither 'genuine' nor 'authentic.' It is not 'genuine,' for St. Thomas did not write it; it is not 'authentic,' for its contents are mainly fables and lies.

   Trench On the Study of Words lect. vi, p. 189. [W. J. Widdleton]

   Authentic is, however, used by reputable writers as synonymous with genuine, tho usually where genuineness carries a certain authority. We speak of accepted conclusions, certain evidence, current money, genuine letters, a legitimate conclusion or legitimate authority, original manuscripts, real value, received interpretation, sure proof, a true statement, a trustworthy witness, a veritable discovery.

   Synonyms:
   accepted, accredited, authentic, authoritative, authorized, certain, current, genuine, original, real, received, reliable, sure, true, trustworthy, veritable

   Antonyms:
   apocryphal, baseless, counterfeit, disputed, exploded, fabulous, false, fictitious, spurious, unauthorized

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. legitimate

   Synonyms:
   allowable, normal, fair, licit, real, genuine, fairly deduced, lawfully begotten

   Antonyms:
   illegitimate, unallowable, unfair, illicit

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. legitimateadjective

   of marriages and offspring; recognized as lawful

   Synonyms:
   licit, logical, lawful

   Antonyms:
   unlawful, illegal, left-handed, fatherless, bastardly, wrongful, baseborn, invalid, unestablished, spurious, base, misbegot, adulterine, illegitimate, misbegotten

2. legitimate, logicaladjective

   based on known statements or events or conditions

   "rain was a logical expectation, given the time of year"

   Synonyms:
   coherent, consistent, ordered, licit, lucid, logical, lawful

   Antonyms:
   misbegotten, unestablished, left-handed, unlawful, spurious, base, illegitimate, illegal, misbegot, bastardly, invalid, baseborn, adulterine, wrongful, fatherless

3. legitimateadjective

   in accordance with recognized or accepted standards or principles

   "legitimate advertising practices"

   Synonyms:
   licit, logical, lawful

   Antonyms:
   left-handed, illegal, base, unlawful, misbegot, wrongful, fatherless, adulterine, bastardly, spurious, misbegotten, baseborn, unestablished, invalid, illegitimate

4. lawful, legitimate, licitverb

   authorized, sanctioned by, or in accordance with law

   "a legitimate government"

   Synonyms:
   rule-governed, lawful, licit, logical, rightful(a), true(a)

   Antonyms:
   base, fatherless, left-handed, baseborn, misbegot, wrongful, illegal, misbegotten, spurious, unlawful, adulterine, bastardly, illegitimate, unestablished, invalid

5. legalize, legalise, decriminalize, decriminalise, legitimize, legitimise, legitimate, legitimatize, legitimatiseverb

   make legal

   "Marijuana should be legalized"

   Synonyms:
   legitimize, legalise, decriminalize, decriminalise, legitimise, legalize, legitimatise, legitimatize

   Antonyms:
   illegal, misbegot, fatherless, illegitimate, adulterine, left-handed, unestablished, baseborn, base, unlawful, invalid, spurious, misbegotten, wrongful, bastardly

6. legitimateverb

   show or affirm to be just and legitimate

   Synonyms:
   legitimize, legalise, decriminalize, decriminalise, legitimise, legalize, legitimatise, legitimatize

   Antonyms:
   illegitimate, base, misbegot, invalid, fatherless, spurious, baseborn, misbegotten, wrongful, illegal, left-handed, bastardly, unlawful, unestablished, adulterine

7. legitimateverb

   make (an illegitimate child) legitimate; declare the legitimacy of (someone)

   "They legitimized their natural child"

   Synonyms:
   legitimize, legalise, decriminalize, decriminalise, legitimise, legalize, legitimatise, legitimatize

   Antonyms:
   misbegotten, baseborn, fatherless, misbegot, illegitimate, spurious, wrongful, unestablished, adulterine, illegal, left-handed, unlawful, bastardly, invalid, base

Matched Categories

1. • Change
   • Justify

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. legitimateadjective

   Synonyms:
   legal, lawful, in accordance with law

2. legitimateadjective

   Synonyms:
   born in wedlock, lawfully begotten

3. legitimateadjective

   Synonyms:
   genuine, not spurious

4. legitimateverb

   Synonyms:
   legalize, make legitimate

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. legitimateadjective

   Synonyms:
   lawful

   Antonyms:
   illegitimate

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "legitimate":

   lawful, rightful, licit, justified, legal, justifiable, legitimacy, reasonable, forensic, valid, legally, legitimated, legit, well-founded

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How to use legitimate in a sentence?

1. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan:

   The situation we are currently facing is one of legitimate defense, no one can deny or limit Turkey’s legitimate right to defense in the face of terrorist attacks.

2. Kevin Sabet:

   Let's put research into the hands of legitimate scientists, not pot profiteers.

3. Charles Krauthammer:

   This is a way to win a battle with Congress, and they knew that this was not something you’re supposed to do. That’s why there was no paper trail or request, that is, I think, a violation of the power of the executive, fearing with legitimate activities and interactions of the Congress and also of pro-advocates who would and should expect with the private communications on behalf of political advocacy is something that the government ought not listen to, listen in on and abuse and that was done.

4. James Thurber:

   She can't recuse herself [if she becomes president], whether it influences her decision making is questionable, but it is a legitimate thing to focus on by her political opposition.

5. The ACLU:

   All young people deserve to learn an inclusive and accurate history in schools, free from censorship or discrimination, hB 1775 is so poorly drafted — in places it is literally indecipherable — that districts and teachers have no way of knowing what concepts and ideas are prohibited. The bill was intended to inflame a political reaction, not further a legitimate educational interest.