as in to enable
to make something real, accepted, or official
slang words legitimized by usage
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Recent Examples of legitimize
In 2007 the Declaration of Reasonable Doubt, a digital petition to legitimize the authorship question, was spearheaded by veteran Shakespearean actors Derek Jacobi and Mark Rylance.
—
Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
That bull and another issued three years later, Romanus Pontifex, formed the basis of the Doctrine of Discovery, the theory that legitimized the colonial-era seizure of land in Africa and the Americas.
—Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026
In the new Daredevil series, the character is trying to legitimize himself by running for mayor of New York City.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
There is a difference in legitimizing a person’s agenda versus finding common ground.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legitimize
Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
That bull and another issued three years later, Romanus Pontifex, formed the basis of the Doctrine of Discovery, the theory that legitimized the colonial-era seizure of land in Africa and the Americas.
—Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026
In the new Daredevil series, the character is trying to legitimize himself by running for mayor of New York City.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
There is a difference in legitimizing a person’s agenda versus finding common ground.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legitimize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimize
Verb
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That can enable major cost reductions, especially in functions like HR, finance, customer service, and IT.—
Paul Goydan,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
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While Capital One's lawsuit seeks damages, the bank said its primary goal of the litigation is to expose and deter bad actors and the firms that enable them.—
Stephanie Dhue,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Kansas City’s Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee on Tuesday will weigh whether to authorize an audit of the city’s contracts with the Greater Kansas City Coalition to End Homelessness.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
12 May 2026
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However, Brown on scene provided officers with a notice, signed by her, to authorize the landing, to which police say the park district can't do.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The project aims to validate the underlying technology for a future mission that could someday take a neutrino detector to the vicinity of the sun.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
13 May 2026
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During the briefing, Fitter said there’s a blood test specifically for Andes that has been validated, as well as a PCR test, although it hasn’t been used for patient care yet.—
Erika Edwards,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Agan objected and demanded a hearing, something tenured California public school teachers facing termination are entitled to.—
Holly McDede,
ProPublica,
12 May 2026
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The minister told the conductor his ticket class entitled him to access.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
Verb
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These programs were designed to provide tax credits to legitimate businesses for employment taxes and wages.—
Chase Jordan
January 10,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
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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
Verb
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Define what requires a meeting, what belongs in an email, when instant messaging is appropriate, and what qualifies as urgent.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
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Following a strong showing at regional sectionals last week, eight girls from the squad have qualified for the big stage.—
La'Tasha Givens,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The soon-to-be 25-year-old outfielder, who served as the Yankees’ DH on Friday, did reach base in his second at-bat, working a seven-pitch, full-count walk, one of two permitted by Misiorowski.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
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In 2025, 739 units were permitted that would be affordable to low-income people; the city is supposed to have permitted 788 per year to meet its goal.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Legitimize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legitimize. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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