Illegitimately

Illegitimately describes an action or state that is not in accordance with established laws, rules, or accepted standards; that is considered unlawful, improper, or unauthorized. It frequently implies a lack of ethical or moral justification and often involves a violation of norms, societal expectations, or formal regulations. This adverb suggests a departure from what is deemed right or correct, resulting in invalidity, nullification, or condemnation. illegitimately covers a broad spectrum, from political maneuvering to financial transactions, and from the creation of software to claiming kinship.

Illegitimately meaning with examples

• The company, driven by short-term profits, illegitimately manipulated its accounting records to present a falsely inflated financial performance. This fraudulent behavior misled investors and creditors, and brought about devastating repercussions for the company once its scheme was exposed by an investigation. The authorities swiftly imposed severe penalties.
• The artist, facing financial desperation, claimed to illegitimately have discovered a lost masterpiece, generating considerable hype and leading to fraudulent sales of imitation paintings. This deliberate act of deception eroded his credibility and alienated him from the art community; destroying his reputation and leading to potential criminal charges.
• Seeking to gain political influence, the campaign illegitimately utilized hacked emails and social media posts to smear the opposing candidate's reputation. This unlawful manipulation of public opinion and dissemination of misinformation ultimately backfired, resulting in public backlash, legal investigations, and the loss of voters' trust.
• The software program, developed illegitimately, contained malicious code that compromised users' personal data. This unauthorized activity endangered privacy and security, causing financial losses and damage to the company's brand; the users subsequently filed lawsuits to claim damages.
• The property developer, desiring a larger area for construction, acquired land illegitimately through bribery and coercion. This unjust practice, which dispossessed rightful landowners, generated ethical concerns and legal challenges, bringing about years of dispute and protracted trials in the courts.