MISBEGOTTEN Synonyms: 12 Similar and Opposite Words

misbegotten

adjective

ˌmis-bi-ˈgä-tᵊn

Definition of misbegotten

as in illegitimate

born to a father and mother who are not married a misbegotten child who never knew his father

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

legitimate

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 misbegotten Into this narrow social wedge was born a boy, child of a passionate but misbegotten moment. — Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026 In the case of the misbegotten At the Sea, Amy Adams stars as Laura, a wife, mother and daughter who sees all of those parts of her life collide into self-destruction after a drunk-driving accident with her son Felix (Redding Munsell) in the car. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026 Congress might then prohibit spending funds on such a misbegotten operation. — Kevin Carroll, Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2026 Every year, the Globes’ most misbegotten category gets more hilarious. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for misbegotten

Recent Examples of Synonyms for misbegotten

illegitimate

Adjective

The researchers suspect that others were created by AI that either hallucinated or, just like the AI agents browsing their file, couldn’t distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate instructions.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026
Internet discussions portrayed the SPLC as a politically motivated or illegitimate actor.

— Art Jipson, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of illegitimate

Browse Nearby Words

misbecoming

misbegotten

misbehave

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“Misbegotten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misbegotten. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of misbegotten

adjective

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