illegitimate Definition
- 1not authorized by the law; not in accordance with accepted standards or rules
- 2born of parents who are not married to each other
Using illegitimate: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "illegitimate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The company was accused of making illegitimate claims about their product.
Example
He was an illegitimate child and faced discrimination from his family.
Example
The government's actions were deemed illegitimate by the opposition party.
illegitimate Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for illegitimate
Antonyms for illegitimate
Phrases with illegitimate
a child born to unmarried parents
Example
She was an illegitimate child, but her mother loved her all the same.
illegitimate business
a business that operates outside the law or without proper authorization
Example
The police raided the warehouse and found evidence of an illegitimate business operation.
methods or ways of doing something that are not legal or acceptable
Example
Using violence to achieve political goals is considered an illegitimate means.
Origins of illegitimate
from Latin 'illegitimatus', meaning 'not legitimate'
Summary: illegitimate in Brief
The term 'illegitimate' [ˌɪlɪˈdʒɪtəmət] refers to something that is not authorized by law or accepted standards. It can also describe a person born to unmarried parents. Examples include 'The company was accused of making illegitimate claims about their product' and 'He was an illegitimate child and faced discrimination from his family.' Phrases like 'illegitimate business' and 'illegitimate means' denote illegal or unacceptable methods.
