Standard Lemma guide

legalistic

adj · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • CMU ARPABET: L EH2 G AH0 L IH1 S T IH0 K Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Of a person, following the letter of the law.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • He's very legalistic, so let's hope the law is just and merciful as well as strict.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Of a person, tending to resort to the law, as one who sues frequently.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • His legalistic tendencies irritated his neighbors, especially since they had to defend themselves against his frivolous suits.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: litigious, litigatious, litiginous

Antonyms: none provided

3

adj

Meaning 3

Practicing or characterized by legalism.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • She was legalistic in her observation of religious rules and traditions.
  • the European Union is legalistic, bureaucratic and runs by precedent.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *leǵ-der.? Proto-Indo-European *legh-der.? Proto-Italic *lēks Latin lex Proto-Indo-European *h2el-der.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālis Latin lēgālislbor. English legal Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō) Proto-Hellenic *-tās Ancient Greek -τής (-tḗs) Ancient Greek -ῐστής (-ĭstḗs)bor. Latin -istader. Old French -istebor. Middle English -ist English -ist Proto-Indo-European *-ikos Proto-Italic *-ikos Latin -icuslbor. Old French -iquebor. Middle English -ik English -ic English -istic English legalistic From legal + -istic.