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
To legitimize its war, China would try to point to provocations by Taipei and Washington—which is why the no-deadline pledge would incentivize them to refrain from acts that Beijing could hold up as compelling casus belli.
—
Stephen Wertheim, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2025
While Stone’s abilities alone might legitimize extraterrestrial suspicions, there’s more to why Teddy has pinpointed Michelle.
—Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
This was legitimized as a way to protect the country from further invasions – which the French were constantly threatening to do.
—Julia Gaffield, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025
Also are Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, two former stars whose twin 13-year, $98 million signings in July 2012 helped legitimize the franchise.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legitimize
Stephen Wertheim, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2025
While Stone’s abilities alone might legitimize extraterrestrial suspicions, there’s more to why Teddy has pinpointed Michelle.
—Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
This was legitimized as a way to protect the country from further invasions – which the French were constantly threatening to do.
—Julia Gaffield, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025
Also are Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, two former stars whose twin 13-year, $98 million signings in July 2012 helped legitimize the franchise.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legitimize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimize
Verb
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Rather than rob the story of its teeth, this enabled me to explore the pain, loneliness and personal demons of my characters with sympathy rather than stinging bite.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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Advertisement On the Democratic side, Virginia’s legislature has begun the complicated process of working to amend the state constitution to enable redistricting.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Under the new terms of the license, Chevron was authorized to pay fees and royalties to Venezuela in oil but not in cash, effectively reducing Chevron’s crude exports from the country by half, according to Reuters.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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This measure would authorize the city to issue $4,100,000 in bonds to pay off debt from bonds issued in 2018 and 2023.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Researchers also want to know whether the effect, if validated, can be improved upon.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
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This week also saw big news from the quantum startup Quantinuum, and DARPA announced eleven companies advanced to the second stage of its quantum benchmarking initiative, which aims to either validate or invalidate the approaches taken by companies in the program.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, Barcelona’s position is that they are entitled to look after their players, and treating them with procedures that can only help his recovery is a part of that.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
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Its political class is smug, self-entitled, and has proved inept at improving the quality of the lives of Nigerians.—
Kingsley Moghalu,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
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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Six Central and North American teams scratched, leaving Cuba to qualify.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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This tax incentive enables businesses to immediately deduct 100% of the cost of qualifying assets, such as machinery and vehicles, rather than spreading the deduction over several years.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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My late father tried to maintain that routine to renew our Egyptian residency permits annually out of fear Israel would expel us from our home again one day.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
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Temporary residence permits allow foreigners to live and work in Germany, as well as receive government benefits, but mean their ability to remain there is uncertain.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Legitimize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legitimize. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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