less legitimate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less legitimate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not as valid, authentic, or credible as something else. Example: "The evidence presented in the case was deemed less legitimate than the testimonies of the eyewitnesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Why is that any less legitimate?

The New York Times - Magazine

Or would the Florida state legislature have been forced to do something even less legitimate?

The New Yorker

This time Stiles had to resort to less legitimate means of restraining him.

Independent

But she says there were other, less legitimate reasons for her unpopularity, too.

The Guardian

"And in the last quarter century, violence has become less legitimate in our society.

The New York Times - Sports

Is the Petula Clark of "Cut Copy Me" less legitimate than the Petula Clark of "Downtown"?

The New Yorker

Is popular culture somehow less legitimate to examine than other forms of culture?

The New Yorker

But it might also have seemed less legitimate to the Israeli people — and they might have moved to end it.

The New York Times

Second, and much less legitimate, is the kind of wrongness that involves making assertions that are logically or empirically indefensible.

The New York Times

In an election ironically reduced to genuinely fuzzy math, would a coin flip really be less legitimate?

The New York Times

So the EU's leaders have scored three out of three: they have made the system less efficient, more complicated and less legitimate.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less legitimate" when you want to convey that something does not fully meet the standards of validity, fairness, or acceptability but isn't necessarily entirely invalid. For example, "a less legitimate excuse" suggests the excuse is weak but not completely fabricated.

Common error

While "less legitimate" is versatile, consider stronger alternatives like "invalid" or "unjustified" in formal or academic writing to enhance precision. For example, instead of "less legitimate research methods", consider "invalid research methods".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less legitimate" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a reduced degree of validity, acceptability, or justification. As shown by Ludwig AI, this expression is widely used to express degrees of legitimacy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less legitimate" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that something is not fully valid or acceptable. As Ludwig AI confirms, its frequency across reputable sources highlights its reliability in expressing varying degrees of legitimacy. While versatile, it's essential to consider stronger alternatives in formal writing for enhanced precision. Using "less legitimate" judiciously allows for nuanced communication about validity and justification across a range of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less valid

Focuses on the lack of factual or logical support.

less justified

Emphasizes the reduced level of reason or excuse.

less acceptable

Highlights the reduced level of social or ethical approval.

less credible

Focuses on the diminished believability or trustworthiness.

less reasonable

Emphasizes the lack of logical sense or rationale.

less defensible

Highlights the reduced ability to be supported or maintained against criticism.

less authoritative

Focuses on the reduced level of recognized expertise or power.

less rightful

Emphasizes the lack of legal or moral claim.

less admissible

Highlights the reduced capacity to be allowed or accepted, especially in legal contexts.

of questionable legitimacy

Indicates that the validity is being doubted.

FAQs

What does "less legitimate" mean?

The phrase "less legitimate" indicates that something is not fully valid, acceptable, or justifiable. It suggests a deficiency in the standard criteria for legitimacy.

How can I use "less legitimate" in a sentence?

You can use "less legitimate" to describe something that has questionable validity or is not as acceptable as something else. For example: "The evidence presented was considered "less valid" than the eyewitness testimony."

What are some alternatives to "less legitimate"?

Alternatives include "less valid", "less justified", "less credible", or "less acceptable". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "less legitimate" or "illegitimate"?

"Less legitimate" implies a partial lack of legitimacy, while "illegitimate" suggests a complete absence of legitimacy. Choose the term that accurately reflects the degree to which something lacks validity or justification.