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View synonyms for illegitimate

illegitimate

[ adjective noun il-i-jit-uh-mit; verb il-i-jit-uh-meyt ]

adjective

  1. born of parents who are not married to each other; born out of wedlock:

    an illegitimate child.

  2. not legitimate; not sanctioned by law or custom.
  3. unlawful; illegal:

    an illegitimate action.

  4. irregular; not in good usage.
  5. Logic. not in accordance with the principles of valid inference.
  6. Obsolete. (formerly, in London)
    1. of or relating to stage plays in which musical numbers were inserted because of laws that gave only a few theaters the exclusive right to produce straight dramas.
    2. acting in or producing such productions.


noun

  1. a person recognized or looked upon as illegitimate.

verb (used with object)

illegitimated, illegitimating.
  1. to declare illegitimate.

illegitimate

/ ˌɪlɪˈdʒɪtɪmɪt /

adjective

  1. born of parents who were not married to each other at the time of birth; bastard
  2. forbidden by law; illegal; unlawful
  3. contrary to logic; incorrectly reasoned
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. an illegitimate person; bastard
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˌilleˈgitimately, adverb
  • ˌilleˈgitimacy, noun
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Other Words From

  • ille·giti·mate·ly adverb
  • ille·giti·mate·ness ille·giti·mation noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of illegitimate1

First recorded in 1530–40; il- 2 + legitimate
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Synonym Study

See illegal.
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Example Sentences

The protesters, spurred on by a figurehead pro-Western president and four opposition groups, say the government is illegitimate; the opposition won’t enter parliament because of the “falsified elections”.

From BBC

“Parties with a legitimate mandate of the Georgian people will confront the illegitimate regime of Georgian Dream and the systemic violence against peaceful demonstrators and journalists,” read the statement.

From BBC

A 2005 biography of Bradford suggested she was indeed descended from lofty stock by way of her mother, who was, it said, the illegitimate daughter of a marquis.

From BBC

This fits into his history of treating all sexual abuse allegations — at least against white men — as categorically illegitimate.

From Salon

When people are made to feel like nothing really matters anymore, and the “system” and “the elites” and their society are broken and illegitimate, they will engage in behavior that is individually and collectively destructive.

From Salon

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