CEFR C1

illegitimate

adjective

Meaning

Not authorized by law or by accepted rules; not in accordance with the law or with accepted standards or rules.

Examples

  • The court declared the contract illegitimate because it was signed under duress.
  • His claim to the throne was considered illegitimate by many nobles due to his birth.

Synonyms: unlawful, unauthorized, invalid, spurious, illicit