LEGITIMACIES 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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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 legitimacy The legitimacy of that referendum petition was not challenged in court. — David A. Lieb, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Executives used a White House event to lobby for legislation that may lend greater legitimacy to the growing industry — one that has made Trump more than $1 billion. — Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2026 More than 60,000 residents participated, and roughly 90 percent voted in favor of ending the concession, giving the movement greater political legitimacy even though the referendum carried no legal authority. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026 Accountability is not the same as independence Senate confirmation gives Schwartz a measure of democratic legitimacy. — Nahid Bhadelia, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for legitimacy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimacy

Noun

Lawmakers and legal experts questioned the lawfulness of such protections.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
That decision found a lower court judge who had sided with Khalil and freed him from a Louisiana lockup lacked the legal authority to weigh in on the lawfulness of the detention.

— Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026

Definition of lawfulness

Noun

The article also describes frustrations over streaming legality issues, as games were not initially available to air commercially in public places like bars.

— Emily Ohman, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Neither Talwani’s decision nor the Supreme Court ruling upheld the policy’s legality.

— Luke Fountain, CNBC, 26 Aug. 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of legitimacy

noun

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