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
In Germany, the primary center-right party has ruled out governing with, and therefore legitimizing, the AfD.
—
Rachel Kleinfeld, Foreign Affairs, 19 July 2024
These kinds of messages are appearing on social media, all legitimized by what the decree says.
—Bianca Padró Ocasio, refinery29.com, 4 June 2024
Yet progressives advocate courts wielding judicial power to legitimize progressive practices — agencies’ semi-legislative activities, regardless of their incompatibility with the separation of powers.
—George F. Will, Washington Post, 10 July 2024
Prosecutors have accused Trump of actions including assembling slates of fraudulent presidential electors, enlisting the Justice Department to legitimize his false claims of voter fraud, and pressuring state officials and Vice President Mike Pence to overturn President Joe Biden’s victory.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 2 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for legitimize 
Rachel Kleinfeld, Foreign Affairs, 19 July 2024
These kinds of messages are appearing on social media, all legitimized by what the decree says.
—Bianca Padró Ocasio, refinery29.com, 4 June 2024
Yet progressives advocate courts wielding judicial power to legitimize progressive practices — agencies’ semi-legislative activities, regardless of their incompatibility with the separation of powers.
—George F. Will, Washington Post, 10 July 2024
Prosecutors have accused Trump of actions including assembling slates of fraudulent presidential electors, enlisting the Justice Department to legitimize his false claims of voter fraud, and pressuring state officials and Vice President Mike Pence to overturn President Joe Biden’s victory.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 2 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for legitimize
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'legitimize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near legitimize
Cite this Entry
“Legitimize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legitimize. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
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Legal Definition
legitimize
transitive verb
le·git·i·mize
lə-ˈji-tə-ˌmīz
legitimized; legitimizing
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