Synonyms

legitimize

American

[li-jit-uh-mahyz] / lɪˈdʒɪt əˌmaɪz /

especially British, legitimise especially british, legitimatize,

verb (used with object)

legitimized, legitimizing

to make legitimate.

legitimize British

/ lɪˈdʒɪtɪməˌtaɪz, lɪˈdʒɪtɪˌmaɪz /

verb

(tr) to make legitimate; legalize

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

legitimization noun

Etymology

Origin of legitimize

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It was the centerpiece of a landmark Disney deal, which legitimized artificial intelligence for Hollywood royalty.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We also have a new technology sphere that’s opening up. It’s legitimizing this need, because modern warfare is extremely different and much more technical than any form of warfare we’ve seen before.”

From Salon

Still, the license it received Tuesday helps Oklo legitimize its business model as it pursues the commercial production of power by 2028.

From Barron's

Making the case to other nations helps legitimize the mission and its necessity.

From The Wall Street Journal

It also helps Oklo legitimize its business model as the company doubles down on its target for the commercial production of power by 2028.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023