Synonyms of legitimate
29 similar words · 32 opposite words
Another word for legitimate is legal. Other synonyms of legitimate are lawful, true, rightful, acceptable and valid. The opposite of legitimate is illegitimate.
Synonyms and similar words for legitimate
adjectiveIn accordance with the law or established legal forms and requirements.
adjectiveConforming to known principles, or established or accepted rules or standards; valid.
- legitLegitimate; legal; allowed by the rules; valid.
- acceptableCapable, worthy, or sure of being accepted or received with pleasure; welcome; gratifying; pleasing to a receiver.
- allowablePermissible; tolerable; legitimate.
- permissiblePermitted.
- rulableAccording to rule; allowable.
- trueConforming to a rule or pattern; exact; accurate.
- validAcceptable, proper or correct; in accordance with the rules.
- leveful obsoleteAllowable; permissible; lawful.
adjectiveAuthentic, real, genuine.
- bona fide
- pukka
- actual
- authentic
- genuine
- lubish
- non-fake
- real
- sterling
- unadulterated
- uncounterfeitedNot counterfeited; genuine.
- undissembledNot dissimulated or feigned; genuine, unfaked.
- unfakedNot faked.
- unfeigned
- veritable
verbTo make legitimate, lawful, or valid; especially, to put in the position or state of a legitimate...
- legitimizeTo make legitimate.
Opposite of legitimate
adjectiveIn accordance with the law or established legal forms and requirements.
- illegitimateNot conforming to known principles, or established or accepted rules or standards.
adjectiveAuthentic, real, genuine.
- false
- artificial
- bad
- bogus
- bollocks
- concoctedInvented, made up.
- counterfeit
- ersatzAn inauthentic or inadequate substitute or imitation.
- fabricated
- falsifiedDemonstrated to be false.
- fake
- fauxFake or artificial.
- feignedBeing a pretense, simulation, or counterfeit, or something false or fraudulent.
- forged
- fraudulent
- ingenuineFalse, not genuine or unauthentic.
- mockImitation, not genuine; fake.
- phoney
- phony-baloneyFake; fraudulent.
- phonyFraudulent; fake; having a misleading appearance.
- phony as a three-dollar billExtremely phony; fake; dishonest; completely bogus.
- pseudo
- put-upSecretly arranged in advance, especially in order to defraud someone or to advance one's own interests.
- said to be
- sham
- spurious
- synthetic
- unauthenticNot authentic; inauthentic.
- unreal
- trumped-upFaked, fabricated or falsely manufactured.
nounMore antonyms
Meaning of legitimate
- adjective In accordance with the law or established legal forms and requirements.
- adjective Conforming to known principles, or established or accepted rules or standards; valid.
- adjective Authentic, real, genuine.
legitimate in other languages
Questions about synonyms of legitimate
- What is another word for legitimate?
- Legitimate has 29 synonyms on Word.ws, such as legal, lawful, true, rightful, acceptable, valid, permissible and licit.
- What is the opposite of legitimate?
- The opposite of legitimate is illegitimate. Other antonyms of legitimate are put-up, mock and faux.
- What does legitimate mean?
- Legitimate means in accordance with the law or established legal forms and requirements.
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: legitimate (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
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Cite this page: “Synonyms of legitimate.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/legitimate. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.