Illegitimate
Illegitimate adjective - Born to a father and mother who are not married.
Usage example: despite being illegitimate, Alexander Hamilton rose to greatness
Nearby Words: illegitimacy, illegitimately
Legitimate
Legitimate adjective - Permitted by law.
Usage example: the mistrust created among investors by the financial scandal has hurt even companies engaged in wholly legitimate business practices
Both words in one sentence
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John Wilkes Booth, while married, did not have any children, legitimate or illegitimate.
Source: Artistic License History -
Wyrd Sisters; they end up choosing between two half-brothers, but they are not the king's illegitimate and legitimate sons, but his court jester's legitimate and illegitimate sons.
Source: Royal Blood -
The Exalted often possess skills that would allow them to make enormous amounts of money very quickly, whether by legitimate or illegitimate means.
Source: Cut Lex Luthor a Check
Cite this Source
Legitimate and Illegitimate. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/illegitimate/legitimate
Illegitimate & Legitimate. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/illegitimate/legitimate>.
Legitimate or Illegitimate. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/illegitimate/legitimate.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "illegitimate" and "legitimate" have occurred on timeline