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Definition of legitimately

legitimately

/lɪˈdʒɪt.ɪ.mət.li/
le · git · i · mate · ly
Adjective:legitimate
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legitimately Lexical Profile

legitimately Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

In a way that conforms to the law or to established rules and regulations.

Example

"All of the company's overseas assets were acquired legitimately and documented in the public registry."

2

In a way that can be defended with logic, sound reasoning, or justification.

Example

"Historians may legitimately question whether the treaty alone was responsible for the decades of peace that followed."

3

Truly or genuinely; without exaggeration or pretense.

Example

"She was legitimately surprised when the committee announced her name as the recipient of the fellowship."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for legitimately

• Nearby Words

legit
legitimacy
legitimate
legitimately
legitimatize
legitimize
legless

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Legitimately. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/legitimately
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