LEGAL Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'legal' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of legal are lawful , legitimate , and licit . While all these words mean "being in accordance with law," legal applies to what is sanctioned by law or in conformity with the law, especially as it is written or administered by the courts. // legal residents of the state

Q: When can 'lawful' be used instead of 'legal'?

The meanings of lawful and legal largely overlap; however, lawful may apply to conformity with law of any sort (such as natural, divine, common, or canon). // the lawful sovereign

Q: Where would 'legitimate' be a reasonable alternative to 'legal'?

In some situations, the words legitimate and legal are roughly equivalent. However, legitimate may apply to a legal right or status but also, in extended use, to a right or status supported by tradition, custom, or accepted standards. // a perfectly legitimate question about taxes

Q: When would 'licit' be a good substitute for 'legal'?

The words licit and legal can be used in similar contexts, but licit applies to a strict conformity to the provisions of the law and applies especially to what is regulated by law. // the licit use of drugs by doctors

legal

adjective

ˈlē-gəl

Definition of legal next

as in legitimate

permitted by law the congressman's fund-raising efforts, though arguably unethical, were determined to be legal

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in moral

following or according to the rules the referee declared it a legal play

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word legal different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of legal are lawful, legitimate, and licit. While all these words mean "being in accordance with law," legal applies to what is sanctioned by law or in conformity with the law, especially as it is written or administered by the courts.

legal residents of the state

When can lawful be used instead of legal?

The meanings of lawful and legal largely overlap; however, lawful may apply to conformity with law of any sort (such as natural, divine, common, or canon).

the lawful sovereign

Where would legitimate be a reasonable alternative to legal?

In some situations, the words legitimate and legal are roughly equivalent. However, legitimate may apply to a legal right or status but also, in extended use, to a right or status supported by tradition, custom, or accepted standards.

a perfectly legitimate question about taxes

When would licit be a good substitute for legal?

The words licit and legal can be used in similar contexts, but licit applies to a strict conformity to the provisions of the law and applies especially to what is regulated by law.

the licit use of drugs by doctors

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of legal Anderson strongly believes the 2020 election was stolen, despite nearly all of the election fraud cases brought by Trump's legal team in 2020 failing. —

Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024 If Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, is elected president, her U.S. Supreme Court options could be limited, legal experts recently told Newsweek. —

David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024 Fox News has added Thomas Dupree, an assistant district attorney during the Obama administration, to its team of legal experts. —

Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024 Expand legal pathways for immigrants Campaigning in Douglas, Ariz. in September, Harris said that the country doesn’t have to choose between securing the border and making the immigration system more orderly and humane. —

Brian Bennett, TIME, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for legal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legal

Adjective

None of the threats or threats to DEC employees or their families were deemed to be legitimate, according to Times Union.

Emma Marsden, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Russia has also breached a sacred tenet of nuclear security by launching attacks against Ukraine from military bases that store nuclear warheads, thus making those bases a legitimate target for counteroffensives.

William M. Moon, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024