legitimize

[ li-jit-uh-mahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, le·git·i·mized, le·git·i·miz·ing.

1. to make legitimate.

legitimize

/ lɪˈdʒɪtɪməˌtaɪz; lɪˈdʒɪtɪˌmaɪz /

verb

1. tr to make legitimate; legalize

Derived Forms

• leˌgitimiˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• le·giti·mi·zation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of legitimize¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin lēgitim(us) ( legitim ) + -ize

Example Sentences

Fighting Tyson legitimizes him even more, and if Paul’s able to win, it’s likely to propel him to a world title fight.

From Salon

They want to legitimize an accounting method that allows companies to exaggerate how much recycled plastic is in their products.

From Salon

In 1999, the Taliban, an Islamic fundamentalist movement that emerged triumphant from the Afghan civil war, wanted to legitimize themselves on the world stage as the rightful rulers of this mountainous land.

From Salon

Conservative newspapers ran editorials suggesting that Im is legitimizing the North Korean dictator.

From Los Angeles Times

In the topsy-turvy world of the radicalized right, a willingness to publish Hitler memes has a legitimizing power.

From Salon

Related Words

• codify
• constitute
• decriminalize
• legislate
• regulate