legitimacy
widely accepted right to rule
The state of being seen by people as a proper and rightful power or authority, especially for a government or leader.
the legitimacy of [a government/leader/institution]
- The protests raised serious doubts about the government's legitimacy.
- International recognition gave the new administration a sense of legitimacy.
- Widespread corruption has slowly eroded the legitimacy of the ruling party.
- For a monarchy to survive today, it must maintain popular legitimacy.
- The regime relies on economic growth to claim its political legitimacy.
- The people questioned the legitimacy of the new leader.
- Free elections can increase the legitimacy of a government.
- The scandal damaged the legitimacy of the police force.
- The king tried to show his legitimacy by visiting many towns.
- Without public support, the president’s legitimacy is weak.
validity or reasonableness of something
The state of something, like a feeling or claim, being seen as fair, reasonable, or understandable.
the legitimacy of [a claim/concern/feeling/action]
- The committee accepted the legitimacy of her concerns about safety.
- Many people questioned the legitimacy of his sudden change of mind.
- Therapists often stress the legitimacy of a patient's feelings, even if others disagree.
- The judge recognized the legitimacy of the workers' demands.
- We should not dismiss the legitimacy of their fears simply because we do not share them.
- The teacher saw the legitimacy of the student’s complaint.
- He tried to prove the legitimacy of his claim.
- They accepted the legitimacy of her anger.
- The company did not understand the legitimacy of the public’s worry.
- We must respect the legitimacy of different opinions.
legal or formal validity
The state of something being correct and acceptable under the law or official rules.
the legitimacy of [a law/contract/action]
- The court will decide the legitimacy of the new regulation next month.
- Lawyers are debating the legitimacy of the search warrant.
- Several experts have questioned the constitutional legitimacy of the proposal.
- The legitimacy of the contract was challenged due to missing signatures.
- The case raised fundamental questions about the legitimacy of the tribunal itself.
- The judge checked the legitimacy of the contract.
- They argued about the legitimacy of the new tax.
- Some people doubt the legitimacy of this law.
- A court can test the legitimacy of government actions.
- The lawyer defended the legitimacy of the company’s decision.
lawful status of a child's birth
In old legal and historical use, the state of a child being born to married parents and so having full legal rights in the family.
the legitimacy of [a child’s birth/marriage]
- Rivals to the throne challenged the prince's legitimacy as heir.
- In many legal systems, a marriage ceremony was required to secure the legitimacy of children.
- The novel centers on a young woman who discovers that her legitimacy has been kept secret from her.
- In the past, questions about a child's legitimacy could affect inheritance rights.
- Documents were produced to prove the legitimacy of the king's only son.
- In history, a child’s legitimacy was very important for inheritance.
- They tried to prove the legitimacy of the prince.
- Old laws often treated children without legitimacy unfairly.
- The story is about a man who hides his son’s lack of legitimacy.
- Questions about a king’s legitimacy could start wars.
- Base: legitimacy
- Plural: legitimacy
crisis of legitimacy
1serious loss of accepted authority
A serious situation where many people no longer accept a government, system, or institution as right and rightful.
- The scandal has pushed the government into a deep crisis of legitimacy.
- Widespread corruption created a crisis of legitimacy for the political system.
- Without reform, the party may soon face a crisis of legitimacy among young voters.
question the legitimacy of
1express doubt about legitimacy
To say or suggest that something may not be right, fair, or legally or socially acceptable.
- Several experts began to question the legitimacy of the election results.
- Citizens are openly questioning the legitimacy of the new tax system.
- Activists have long questioned the legitimacy of the board's decisions.
the legitimacy of
1the legitimacy that something has
A very common way to talk about whether a specific thing, like a law, action, feeling, or government, is legitimate.
- The report raises questions about the legitimacy of the current policy.
- Many people doubt the legitimacy of the new company rules.
- Scholars have debated the legitimacy of his approach for decades.