Definition of ILLEGITIMATE (original) (raw)

1

a

: not recognized as lawful offspring

b

: born of parents not married to each other

2

a

: not sanctioned by law : illegal

b

: not authorized by good usage

c

of a taxon : published but not in accordance with the rules of the relevant international code

3

: not rightly deduced or inferred : illogical

4

: departing from the regular : erratic

Synonyms

Examples of illegitimate in a Sentence

She thinks that my concerns are illegitimate. They were fired from their jobs for illegitimate reasons.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The coins are marked with faces of nine Roman emperors who reigned during the fourth and fifth centuries—including Eugenius, an illegitimate usurper who ruled the Western Roman Empire for just two years. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Jan. 2025 That period, in 2017, was defined by public demonstrations of resistance, a flurry of new liberal groups and a palpable anger over an election outcome many in the party saw as illegitimate. —Reid J. Epstein, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025 Teams with low absenteeism judge calling in sick for illegitimate reasons. —Lieke Ten Brummelhuis, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025 However, some illegitimate brands may sell contaminated or mislabeled products. —Rowan Briggs, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for illegitimate

Word History

First Known Use

1536, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of illegitimate was in 1536

Dictionary Entries Near illegitimate

Cite this Entry

“Illegitimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illegitimate. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.

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Last Updated: 9 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences

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