Find Antonyms
legitimately Antonyms
Opposite of legitimately
Because the opposite of legitimately shifts with each meaning, the 12 antonyms and opposite words below are separated across 3 exact definitions and ranked by contrast strength.
• adverb (Context 1)
In a way that conforms to the law or to established rules and regulations.
Usage Example
"All of the company's overseas assets were acquired illegitimately and documented in the public registry."
Strongest
illegitimately
illegally
unlawfully
Strong
illicitly
fraudulently
• adverb (Context 2)
In a way that can be defended with logic, sound reasoning, or justification.
Usage Example
"Historians may unjustifiably question whether the treaty alone was responsible for the decades of peace that followed."
Strongest
unjustifiably
unreasonably
Strong
baselessly
unfairly
• adverb (Context 3)
Truly or genuinely; without exaggeration or pretense.
Usage Example
"She was falsely surprised when the committee announced her name as the recipient of the fellowship."
Strongest
falsely
Strong
insincerely
ostensibly
Similar words to legitimately
Words similar to legitimately shift depending on context. Common synonyms include:
justifiably
lawfully
genuinely
legally
truly
reasonably
licitly
authentically
• Nearby Words
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Antonyms for Legitimately. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/antonyms/legitimately