illegitimately
In unlawful fashion
Illegitimately means in a way that violates laws, rules, or accepted standards.
Someone who acts illegitimately operates outside proper authority or established norms: The funds were illegitimately obtained through fraudulent schemes.
The word also carries its older sense relating to birth outside of marriage, though this usage has become less common as social attitudes have shifted.
He claimed the throne was illegitimately held by a usurper.
Contrary to law
- illicitlyIn prohibited fashion
- criminallyIn lawbreaking fashion
- unlawfullyAgainst the law
- against the lawForbidden by statute
prohibited · forbidden · contraband · bootleg · black-market · under-the-table · smuggled · outlawed
In falsely suggestive manner
- fraudulentlyThrough intentional dishonesty
- deceitfullyIn a lying manner
- falselyContrary to fact
- misleadinglyIn a deceiving way
duplicitously · underhandedly · sham · counterfeit · fabricated · forged · phonily
Without legal force
- improperlyIn an incorrect manner
- voidWithout legal effect
- nullAbsence indicator in code
- unrecognizedNot identified or acknowledged
unofficial · disqualified · ineligible · annulled · nullified · revoked · rescinded · defectively
Without moral principles
- wrongfullyWithout legitimate cause
- unscrupulouslyWithout moral principles
- corruptlyIn a venal manner
- dishonorablyIn shameful manner
unconscionably · improperly · nefariously · reprehensibly · unjustifiably · indefensibly · inexcusably · unwarrantedly
Born to unmarried parents
- basebornOf low birth
- misbegottenPoorly conceived or illegitimate
- spuriousFalse though appearing genuine
- fatherlessWithout a male parent
unacknowledged · bastardy · extramarital · natural child · love child
illegally
Contrary to law
- illicitlyIn prohibited fashion
- criminallyIn lawbreaking fashion
- unlawfullyAgainst the law
against the law · prohibited · forbidden · contraband · bootleg · black-market · under-the-table · smuggled · outlawed · clandestinely
deceptively
In falsely suggestive manner
- fraudulentlyThrough intentional dishonesty
- deceitfullyIn a lying manner
- falselyContrary to fact
misleadingly · duplicitously · underhandedly · sham · counterfeit · fabricated · forged · phonily
invalidly
Without legal force
- improperlyIn an incorrect manner
- voidWithout legal effect
- nullAbsence indicator in code
unrecognized · unofficial · disqualified · ineligible · annulled · nullified · revoked · rescinded · defectively · irregularly
immorally
Without moral principles
- wrongfullyWithout legitimate cause
- unscrupulouslyWithout moral principles
- corruptlyIn a venal manner
dishonorably · unconscionably · improperly · nefariously · reprehensibly · unjustifiably · indefensibly · inexcusably · unwarrantedly
out of wedlock
Born to unmarried parents
- basebornOf low birth
- misbegottenPoorly conceived or illegitimate
- spuriousFalse though appearing genuine
fatherless · unacknowledged · bastardy · extramarital · natural child · love child
illegitimatelylegally
In lawful manner
lawfully · legitimately · licitly · constitutionally · by the book
illegitimatelylegitimately
In a valid way
rightfully · properly · rightly · validly · by right
- illegitimate childChild of unmarried parents
- illegitimate childrenOffspring of unmarried parents
- illegitimate heirOffspring lacking lawful inheritance rights
- illegitimate rulerLeader lacking valid authority