legitimacy

[li-jit-uh-muh-see]

noun

1. the state or quality of being legitimate.

   Synonyms: rightfulness, legality, lawfulness

Other Word Forms

• nonlegitimacy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of legitimacy¹

First recorded in 1685–95; legitim(ate) + -acy

Example Sentences

A growing number of EU leaders are starting to admit that their legitimacy depends on responding effectively to electoral impulses.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Concerns have been raised over the professionalism and legitimacy of the Women's League Cup quarter-final and semi-final draw, which was conducted by a social media influencer.

Read more on BBC

Legal experts questioned the legitimacy of the Pentagon’s investigation.

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Like the climate crisis or the crisis of democratic legitimacy, the affordability crisis has become an umbrella term for countless loosely connected phenomena.

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“I’m sure they were concerned about disrupting the brand awareness they’ve built and losing the legitimacy and gravitas of the NBC name,” Doughty said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• authority 
• justice 
• validity