What is another word for illegitimate?
Pronunciation: [ɪləd͡ʒˈɪtɪmət] (IPA) 
The word illegitimate can have a negative connotation due to its association with illegality, wrongdoing, and shame. However, several synonyms exist that can denote a similar meaning without carrying the same negative burden. Words like unlawful, illicit, improper, or unauthorized can be used to describe something that violates the law, moral code, or accepted norms, without necessarily implying disreputable or immoral behavior. Other terms that can substitute for illegitimate include spurious, fake, or forged, which denote something that is not genuine or authentic. Alternative phrases like unacknowledged, unrecognized, or unapproved can also convey the idea of being unauthorized or not approved but without carrying the same negative connotation as illegitimate.
