as in to enable
to make something real, accepted, or official
slang words legitimized by usage
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Recent Examples of legitimize
Companies have been forced to navigate a complex environment in which continuing operations risks legitimizing the junta, while withdrawal raises fears of mass job losses in an already devastated economy.
—
Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 22 Dec. 2025
In both cases, Christmas functioned not as a sentimental interruption to war, but as a strategic moment to legitimize restraint and probe whether diplomacy could bring an end to the underlying conflict.
—Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 20 Dec. 2025
This refers to malicious actors impersonating a legitimate software package or extension to trick an unwitting coder—or now, an AI—into downloading a malicious one instead, usually by slightly tweaking the name and legitimizing it with fake reviews.
—Sage Lazzaro, Fortune, 15 Dec. 2025
What began as a mechanism to legitimize leadership became the rebirth of a nation's confidence in itself.
—Sarah Lynch Baldwin, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legitimize
Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 22 Dec. 2025
In both cases, Christmas functioned not as a sentimental interruption to war, but as a strategic moment to legitimize restraint and probe whether diplomacy could bring an end to the underlying conflict.
—Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 20 Dec. 2025
This refers to malicious actors impersonating a legitimate software package or extension to trick an unwitting coder—or now, an AI—into downloading a malicious one instead, usually by slightly tweaking the name and legitimizing it with fake reviews.
—Sage Lazzaro, Fortune, 15 Dec. 2025
What began as a mechanism to legitimize leadership became the rebirth of a nation's confidence in itself.
—Sarah Lynch Baldwin, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legitimize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimize
Verb
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An arbitration hearing enables the Royals and a player — including his agent and attorney — to have a panel of neutral arbitrators determine the value of the player’s contract for the coming season (in this case, 2026).—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
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Washington’s neutrality safeguarded our nation’s first quarter-millennium, enabling our ascent to superpower status and the preservation of liberty at home.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The central legal question was whether the board of governors or the club’s voting members holds the ultimate power to authorize major capital projects and debt.—
Chase Jordan
January 13,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
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During the Cold War, administrations authorized CIA operations against hostile regimes engaged in subversion and criminal conduct.—
Timothy M. Herbst,
Hartford Courant,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The nonprofits check providers’ enrollment with their licensed capacity, review thousands of monthly attendance sheets, validate signatures and verifications of employment and eligibility and compare providers’ rate sheets to invoices, among other things, McDougal said.—
Kristen Taketa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Jan. 2026
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Your love life feels serious, intentional and deeply validating when both of you show up fully.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
10 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,
7 Jan. 2026
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Following Wednesday's hearing, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman also spoke and expressed confidence that a jury would find Nick guilty of murder, while also noting that the defendant is entitled to proper legal representation.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
7 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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The federal government pays 90% of the costs of Idaho’s Medicaid expansion, which as of early 2025 provided access to care for about 90,000 lower-income Idaho residents who earn too much to qualify for standard Medicaid but not enough for private insurance discounts.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
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Something to savor The national title game is more than a week away as UM pulled off the improbable after barely qualifying for the playoffs.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As argued in his book Abundance, Ezra Klein explains how America's growth has been hindered by well-meaning regulations, permitting requirements, and veto points that have blocked affordable housing, infrastructure, and clean energy development.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
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If venue personnel deem any person to be a threat, or otherwise unfit, in their sole discretion, he or she will not be permitted access and shall forfeit the prize.—
AJC.com,
AJC.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Legitimize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legitimize. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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