LEGITIMIZE Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

legitimize

verb

Definition of legitimize

as in to enable

to make something real, accepted, or official slang words legitimized by usage

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of legitimize To legitimize its role as something more than predatory domination, Washington launched the Arab-Israeli peace process in hopes of integrating its Arab allies and Israel into a common security framework. — Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 Rather than continuing to work to legitimize her rule through support for the common people per Mysaria's counsel, Rhaenyra opted for the show of brute force Daemon has been all too eager to lead the charge on. — Megan McCluskey, Time, 10 Aug. 2026 The company is abandoning the $799 price point, with the Pixel 11 expected to start at $899 for 256GB storage, legitimizing a wider industry shift to higher base storage and prices. — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026 Between these firsthand testimonies from veterans, his own medical miracle, and the spiritual experience, Perry became convinced that helping legitimize ibogaine should be his life’s mission. — Michelle Lhooq, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for legitimize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimize

Verb

In testing, the team from China reduced heat damage by over 99 percent, preventing structural defects and enabling flawless, highly precise micro-components for extreme environments like aerospace engines and nuclear reactors.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
Both Russia and Ukraine agreed to hold off on aerial attacks on each other’s capitals to enable the visits over the weekend, bringing a brief respite in the cities, though no broader ceasefire is in place.

— Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of enable

Verb

The source spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

— Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Conducted in Houma, Louisiana, the week-long tests marked the first autonomous and uncrewed flights authorized through the federal program, bringing the aircraft closer to commercial operations.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of authorize

Verb

The technique will also need to be adapted and validated for the MRI scanners routinely used in hospitals.

— Claudia Metzler-Baddeley, Scientific American, 5 Sep. 2026
The facility expands the company’s capability to develop, test, and validate next-generation wireless semiconductor technologies for Internet of Things applications, according to a press release from Silicon Labs.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of validate

Verb

Mulligan’s Lindsay is brittle, entitled and frequently cruel, giving the actress the chance to deliver scathing rejoinders and self-deluded justifications, all with a deep reservoir of personal disappointment.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026
If your flight was delayed or canceled following Tuesday’s air traffic control issues at NATS, you may be entitled to flight compensation.

— Alessia Armenise, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of entitle

Verb

And the fact that Pochettino’s contract is so close to expiring was only going to add to this type of rumor mill — and to legitimate interest and recruitment.

— Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 29 May 2026
For schools, one bill would limit the use of student biometric data to legitimate instructional purposes, while another would prohibit teachers from using AI to assign grades on student work.

— Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026

Definition of legitimate

Verb

Rather than seeding by qualifying time, athletes get to choose their preferred lane in advance, and these are then given out based on world ranking.

— Liam Tharme, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Delays in testing and qualifying Blue Origin’s BE-4 engine and an explosion of the rocket’s Centaur upper stage during a ground test in 2023 eventually pushed Vulcan’s first test flight into early 2024.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026