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
Progressives have long argued — often rightly — that incendiary rhetoric from public officials can legitimize harassment, intimidation, and violence.
—
David Moore, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2026
The operation in Venezuela bypassed every mechanism normally used to legitimize American power abroad — judicial process, international authorization, collective defense, congressional consent.
—Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
This legitimizes regime changes by force.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
The international community must act responsibly, avoid falling for false narratives and distorted information and refrain from legitimizing a biased and unprofessional report.
—Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 2025
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David Moore, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2026
The operation in Venezuela bypassed every mechanism normally used to legitimize American power abroad — judicial process, international authorization, collective defense, congressional consent.
—Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
This legitimizes regime changes by force.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
The international community must act responsibly, avoid falling for false narratives and distorted information and refrain from legitimizing a biased and unprofessional report.
—Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 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 13 Jan. 2026.
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Legal Definition
legitimize
transitive verb
le·git·i·mize
lə-ˈji-tə-ˌmīz
legitimized; legitimizing
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