as in to enable
to make something real, accepted, or official
slang words legitimized by usage
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of legitimize
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
Those narratives helped legitimize problems medicine had long ignored.
—Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 7 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
See All Example Sentences for legitimize
David Moore, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2026
Those narratives helped legitimize problems medicine had long ignored.
—Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 7 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
See All Example Sentences for legitimize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimize
Verb
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Their new approach enables micro- and nanoscale 3D fabrication using a wide range of materials, moving beyond polymers and opening new design possibilities.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
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Senior executives speak openly about the potential for better customer experience, better products, and fundamentally new business models enabled by AI.—
Peter Bendor-Samuel,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On the day of the event, the State Department confirmed that President Johnson had authorized US ground forces to engage in combat if requested by the South Vietnamese Army.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
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But the attacks have drawn scrutiny from Democrats and some Republicans in Congress, a body that has not authorized attacks on the drug cartels, and condemnation from human rights groups.—
Nate Raymond,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Getting associated with them validates your position.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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That insight helps teams validate digital models earlier in development.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize.—
Staff Reports,
The Providence Journal,
27 Jan. 2026
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But who is entitled to forgive?—
Bernadette Meyler,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Post-Europe is a response to this seemingly repetitive situation and the increasing tendency of legitimating a nationalist and fascist discourse.—
Daniel Birnbaum,
Artforum,
1 Sep. 2025
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Digital assets encompass everything from speculative meme coins to legitimate community development tools.—
Tonya M. Evans,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
Verb
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But Yale said the move to raise the limit to $100,000 means nearly half of American households with children ages 6 to 17 will qualify for all education expenses being covered.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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The top eight in the final table will qualify automatically for the round of 16, skipping two extra play-off games.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The New York State Legislature is expected to consider a state constitutional amendment to permit mid-decade redistricting or further modifications to the 2014 state constitutional amendment that created new redistricting reforms.—
Jeffrey M. Wice,
New York Daily News,
30 Jan. 2026
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Unexpected costs include permitting, inspections, and changes to your design plans.—
Timothy Dale,
The Spruce,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Legitimize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legitimize. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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