delegitimize

verb

de·​le·​git·​i·​mize ˌdē-lə-ˈji-tə-ˌmīz 

delegitimized; delegitimizing; delegitimizes

transitive verb

: to diminish or destroy the legitimacy, prestige, or authority of

delegitimize a government

delegitimization

ˌdē-lə-ˌji-tə-mə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Examples of delegitimize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The infrastructure is being actively weakened by eroding the safety net and delegitimizing science. — Sunny Patel, STAT, 17 July 2026

Heidecker serves as the new InfoWars’ creative director and hosts a weekly Thursday night livestream as a fictional, right-wing version of himself that both satirizes and attempts to delegitimize Jones’ life’s work. — Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026

In my opinion, the same forces working to delegitimize Israel are working to undermine the Western alliance, democratic institutions, and American leadership itself. — Naftali Bennett, Time, 9 July 2026

The recent push for term limits and court expansion is a partisan effort to delegitimize a Court that has returned power to the states and the people. — Michael Carbonara, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for delegitimize

• contextualize
• industrialize
• materialise
• materialize
• memorialize
• microenterprise
• overemphasize
• particularize
• revolutionise
• revolutionize
• actualize
• antagonize