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Legalistic: meaning, definitions and examples

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legalistic

 

[ ˌliːɡəˈlɪstɪk ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

in law

Inclined to emphasize minutiae or form in the interpretation of laws, contracts, or rules.

Synonyms

formalistic, pedantic, rigorous

Examples of usage

  • He had a legalistic approach to contract negotiation.
  • The legalistic language in the document made it confusing for the average person to understand.
Context #2 | Adjective

general

Overly concerned with following the exact letter of the law or rules, often to the detriment of the spirit or intent behind them.

Synonyms

dogmatic, literalistic, strict

Examples of usage

  • The legalistic interpretation of the policy led to unintended consequences.
  • She was criticized for her legalistic adherence to the guidelines without considering their practical application.

Translations

Translations of the word "legalistic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 legalista

🇮🇳 कानूनीवादी

🇩🇪 legalistisch

🇮🇩 legalistik

🇺🇦 легалістичний

🇵🇱 legalistyczny

🇯🇵 法学主義的 (ほうがくしゅぎてき)

🇫🇷 légaliste

🇪🇸 legalista

🇹🇷 yasalcı

🇰🇷 법률주의적인

🇸🇦 قانوني

🇨🇿 legalistický

🇸🇰 legalistický

🇨🇳 法律主义的 (fǎlǜ zhǔyì de)

🇸🇮 legalističen

🇮🇸 lögfræðilegur

🇰🇿 заңгерлік

🇬🇪 ლეგალისტური

🇦🇿 hüquqçu

🇲🇽 legalista

Word origin

The term 'legalistic' originated from the word 'legalist', which was first recorded in the early 19th century. It is derived from the Latin word 'legalis', meaning 'legal'. The concept of legalism has its roots in the strict adherence to laws and regulations, often at the expense of flexibility or understanding the underlying principles. Over time, 'legalistic' has come to be associated with a negative connotation, suggesting a rigid and inflexible approach to rules and regulations.

See also: illegal, illegally, legalist, legality, legally.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,698, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.