Find Antonyms

illegitimate Antonyms

Opposite of illegitimate

Because the opposite of illegitimate shifts with each meaning, the 16 antonyms and opposite words below are separated across 4 exact definitions and ranked by contrast strength.
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• adjective (Context 1)

Not authorized by the law; not in accordance with accepted standards, rules, or legal principles.

Usage Example

"The international community refused to recognize the military junta, declaring its seizure of power legitimate."

Strongest
legitimate
lawful
legal
valid
authorized
Strong
licit
sanctioned
constitutional

• adjective (Context 2)

(of a child) Born of parents not lawfully married to each other.

Usage Example

"Under the feudal succession laws of the period, an legitimate son could not inherit the family title."

Strongest
legitimate
Strong
lawful
trueborn

• adjective (Context 3)

Not based on sound reasoning or valid evidence; logically flawed or unjustifiable.

Usage Example

"The professor pointed out that the student's essay relied on an legitimate conclusion drawn from incomplete data."

Strongest
legitimate
valid
sound
Strong
logical
justifiable
warranted

• verb (Context 4)

To declare or render unlawful, invalid, or illegitimate (especially by legal decree or statute).

Usage Example

"Following the annulment of the monarch's marriage, parliament passed an act to legitimate the princess."

Strongest
legitimate
legitimize
legalize
validate

Similar words to illegitimate

Words similar to illegitimate shift depending on context. Common synonyms include:

illegitimize
unlawful
invalid
out-of-wedlock
delegitimize
illicit
illegal
unsound
See all synonyms of illegitimate

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Antonyms for Illegitimate. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/antonyms/illegitimate
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