legitimize
verb
le·git·i·mize
li-ˈji-tə-ˌmīz 
legitimized; legitimizing
: to make legitimate : legitimate
Examples of legitimize in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The plan would effectively legitimize Russia’s annexation of Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk and comes despite unease among European partners.
—
Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
Yet Starmer’s own outsized focus on the issue has helped to legitimize this ugly tendency, as has Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s hardline new rules on asylum and immigration.
—Oliver Eagleton, Time, 26 Nov. 2025
The resolution could prove key to legitimizing a transitional governance body for Gaza and reassuring countries that are considering sending troops to the region.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
In many ways, your involvement as an investor in and adviser to Vice legitimized the company and its larger-than-life leader, Shane Smith.
—Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legitimize
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Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
Yet Starmer’s own outsized focus on the issue has helped to legitimize this ugly tendency, as has Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s hardline new rules on asylum and immigration.
—Oliver Eagleton, Time, 26 Nov. 2025
The resolution could prove key to legitimizing a transitional governance body for Gaza and reassuring countries that are considering sending troops to the region.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
In many ways, your involvement as an investor in and adviser to Vice legitimized the company and its larger-than-life leader, Shane Smith.
—Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legitimize
Cite this Entry
“Legitimize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legitimize. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.
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Legal Definition
legitimize
transitive verb
le·git·i·mize
lə-ˈji-tə-ˌmīz
legitimized; legitimizing
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