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Definitions

legal

[lee-guhl] / ˈli gəl /
ADJECTIVE
allowable, permissible
Synonyms
STRONGEST
constitutional contractual fair juridical lawful legitimate proper statutory valid
WEAK
acknowledged allowed authorized card-carrying chartered clean condign decreed due enforceable enforced enjoined forensic granted innocent judged judicial just justifiable justified legalized legit licit on the level on the up and up ordained passed precedented prescribed protected right rightful sanctioned sound straight sure-enough warranted within the law
Antonyms
STRONGEST
illegal illegitimate invalid unacceptable unlawful
WEAK
illicit wrong

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The case was closed as a legal homicide under South Carolina’s stand-your-ground law.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

The click-wheel design distinguished the device and introduced the iTunes library, paving the way for legal digital music downloading to hit the mainstream.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

But several regulatory shortcuts exist and, ultimately, Kennedy could simply declare the ingredients are legal.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

Heath Hirschi wanted out of paying $2,700 a month in spousal support payments after his ex married someone his legal team called a “well-known Hollywood actor.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

I didn’t know it was legal to work at fifteen, but he wandered into Big Ed’s General Store and they hired him on the spot.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.