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legitimacy

[ li-jit-uh-muh-see ]

/ lɪˈdʒɪt ə mə si /

||

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR legitimacy ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the state or quality of being legitimate.

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RELATED WORDS

justice, authority, validity, right, lawfulness, permissibility, constitutionality

Nearby words

Origin of legitimacy

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

SYNONYMS FOR legitimacy

lawfulness, legality, rightfulness.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR legitimacy ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsnon·le·git·i·ma·cy, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for legitimacy

In short, Maduro is now facing dual crises: One economic, the other of legitimacy.
Venezuela Says Goodbye to Its Lil Friend, While the Rest of the Continent Cheers|Catalina Lobo-Guererro|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At first blush, this practice may have the appearance of legitimacy in cases where detainees refused to eat or drink.
‘Rectal Feeding’ Has Nothing to Do with Nutrition, Everything to Do with Torture|Russell Saunders|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It goes beyond just finding the music unpleasant, it invokes the rhetoric of legitimacy.
Of Gamers, Gates, and Disco Demolition: The Roots of Reactionary Rage|Arthur Chu|October 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Tudors who succeeded Richard to the throne reinforced their own legitimacy by setting out systematically to trash him.
Three Dicks: Cheney, Nixon, Richard III and the Art of Reputation Rehab|Clive Irving|July 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Having claimed the legitimacy given him by huge support in the streets, al Sisi banned demonstrations that might turn against him.
What Would Jesus Do in Gaza? The Tears of Pope Francis Point the Way|Christopher Dickey|July 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her belief in her legitimacy had rested upon her father's word; but how if he had deceived her?
The Shadow of the Czar|John R. Carling
But under the cloak of legitimacy the monarchical Powers harboured their own selfish designs.
The Life of Napoleon I (Volumes, 1 and 2)|John Holland Rose
Both were nevertheless overpowered by the sense of their legitimacy and sacred aloofness.
The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte|William Milligan Sloane
Again, the right of preserving implies also the right of transmission; hence the legitimacy of inheritance.
Elements of Morals|Paul Janet
Legitimacy alone promised to stop the endless shiftings of the political kaleidoscope, whether by France, Austria, or Russia.
The Life of Napoleon I (Volumes, 1 and 2)|John Holland Rose

Word Origin and History for legitimacy

legitimacy

n.

1690s, of children; general use by 1836; see legitimate + -cy. Legitimateness an earlier word for it.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper