 Games & Quizzes

 Word of the Day

 Grammar
 Wordplay
 Word Finder
 More

Est. 1828

Thesaurus
Synonyms of legal

 as in legitimate
 as in moral


 Synonym Chooser
 Phrases Containing
 Related Articles
 Entries Near
 Show More

 Save Word

legal
adjective
Definition of legal
1
as in legitimate
permitted by lawthe congressman's fund-raising efforts, though arguably
unethical, were determined to be legal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance

 legitimate
 lawful
 justifiable
 regulation
 authorized
 constitutional
 legit
 licit
 allowable
 good
 permissible
 proper
 statutory
 noncriminal
 right
 warrantable
 innocent
 just
 de jure

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

 illegal
 unlawful
 wrongful
 illicit
 criminal
  illegitimate
 wrong
 evil
 bad

See More
2
as in moral

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

 moral
 ethical
 clean
 fair
 honorable
 sportsmanly
 sportsmanlike
 scrupulous
 principled
 law-abiding
 just
 unimpeachable
 irreproachable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

 unfair
 dirty
 foul
 nasty
  wrong
 immoral
 unethical
 unscrupulous
 vicious

See More

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

Phrases Containing legal

 legal tender
 legal eagle

Articles Related to legal

'Positive', 'Cheat', and 7 Other Words...

Don't be an ignoramus

Thesaurus Entries Near legal

legacy
legal
legal eagle
See More Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

Style

“Legal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster,

https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legal. Accessed 5 Jan.
2024.
 Copy Citation

Share
Post more words for legal to FacebookFacebook
Share more words for legal on TwitterTwitter

More from Merriam-Webster on legal

Nglish: Translation of legal for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of legal for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more
definitions and advanced search—ad free!

MERRIAM-WEBSTER UNABRIDGED
 Can you solve 4 words at once?

Play

WORD OF THE DAY

accolade
See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

SUBSCRIBE

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

8 Grammar Terms You Used to Know, But Forgot

Homophones, Homographs, and Homonyms

Commonly Misspelled Words

A Guide to Em Dashes, En Dashes, and Hyphens

Absent Letters That Are Heard Anyway

Popular in Wordplay
See All

10 Words for Lesser-Known Games and Sports

Your Favorite Band is in the Dictionary

Etymologies for Every Day of the Week

7 Common Idioms That Come from Chickens

Words for Lazy People and Laziness

Games & Quizzes

See All

QuordleCan you solve 4 words at once?

Play

Blossom Word GameYou can make only 12 words. Pick the best ones!
Play

Missing LetterA crossword with a twist

 Play

Spelling Bee QuizCan you outdo past winners of the National Spelli...
Take the quiz

Merriam Webster

Learn a new word every day. Delivered to your inbox!

SUBSCRIBE

 Help

 About Us

 Advertising Info

 Contact Us

 Diversity

 Privacy Policy

 Terms of Use
 Facebook
 Twitter
 YouTube
 Instagram
© 2024 Merriam-Webster, Incorporated