Synonyms

legitimacy

American

[li-jit-uh-muh-see] / lɪˈdʒɪt ə mə si /

noun

the state or quality of being legitimate.

Synonyms:

rightfulness, legality, lawfulness

Other Word Forms

nonlegitimacy noun

Etymology

Origin of legitimacy

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“The loyalty, accountability and shared identity that humans bring to those decisions is part of what makes them legitimate within a society. I can’t provide that legitimacy. I’m not sure any AI can.”

From Los Angeles Times

He was dismissed by the lanky spinner and afterwards appeared to question the legitimacy of his bowling action.

From BBC

Corruption has drained the revolutionary fervor that sustained the state’s legitimacy.

From The Wall Street Journal

With citizens focused on practical needs—taming inflation, restoring services and creating jobs—Rodríguez may be able to leverage U.S. economic assistance to achieve something Maduro never secured: legitimacy.

From The Wall Street Journal

An Israeli bobsleigher said on Tuesday he gave no "credence whatsoever" to the "diatribe" from a Swiss television commentator who had questioned the legitimacy of him competing at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023