delegitimize

[ dee-li-jit-uh-mahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, de·le·git·i·mized, de·le·git·i·miz·ing.

1. to remove the legitimate or legal status of.

delegitimize

/ ˌdiːlɪˈdʒɪtɪˌmaɪz /

verb

1. to make invalid, illegal, or unacceptable

   crushing and delegitimizing all dissent in Central Asia

Derived Forms

• ˌdelegitimiˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• dele·giti·mi·zation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of delegitimize¹

de- + legitimize

Example Sentences

In the minds of users, this may delegitimize the search engines that don’t appear on the choice screen.

From Search Engine Land

Facebook and other social media platforms are facing a wave of conservative backlash over their crackdowns on efforts to delegitimize the results of the presidential election.

From Washington Post

This lack of understanding and certainty can fuel doubt, fan misinformation and provide opportunities for those seeking to delegitimize the results.

From Popular-Science

With no clear winner yet in the presidential election, there’s an opportunity for partisan activists, conspiracy theorists, and others to exploit public uncertainty and anxiety to attempt to delegitimize the election results.

From Popular-Science

For thousands of years, people have tried to delegitimize the Jewish people.

From Time

It would delegitimize every conception of Israel in which democracy is absolutely fundamental.

From The Daily Beast

Traduce him, delegitimize him—and slow economic recovery in hopes that voters will cast a protest vote for the GOP.

From The Daily Beast

But BDS aims not only to weaken the state, itself an immoral goal, but also to delegitimize its very existence.

From The Daily Beast

And we have vigorously opposed efforts to delegitimize the Jewish State.

From The Daily Beast

That would change overnight and Washington would almost certainly re-start a campaign to delegitimize the court around the world.

From The Daily Beast