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
Weaving does little to challenge that image here, utilizing all her usual tricks as a bitter thespian who lacks the talent to land the theater role that will legitimize her as a serious actress.
—
Katie Rife, IndieWire, 16 Mar. 2026
Critics described the vote organized by the military government as an effort to legitimize its rule.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Khamenei was both Hezbollah’s political ally and its paramount spiritual guide; the group followed his religious rulings and used his authority to legitimize violent acts.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
The lineup has a pulse — mostly because Bryce Eldridge is a monstrous human being who looks poised to legitimize the bottom third of the lineup with glove-exploding exit velocities.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legitimize
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Katie Rife, IndieWire, 16 Mar. 2026
Critics described the vote organized by the military government as an effort to legitimize its rule.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Khamenei was both Hezbollah’s political ally and its paramount spiritual guide; the group followed his religious rulings and used his authority to legitimize violent acts.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
The lineup has a pulse — mostly because Bryce Eldridge is a monstrous human being who looks poised to legitimize the bottom third of the lineup with glove-exploding exit velocities.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legitimize
Cite this Entry
“Legitimize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legitimize. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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Legal Definition
legitimize
transitive verb
le·git·i·mize
lə-ˈji-tə-ˌmīz
legitimized; legitimizing
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