as in to enable
to make something real, accepted, or official
slang words legitimized by usage
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Shares of psychedelic drug developers such as Compass Pathways and other rivals tied to the space rallied following the announcement, with Wall Street analysts arguing the order could legitimize an industry long viewed as fringe.
—
Brandon Gomez,
CNBC,
31 May 2026
The mayor himself will arrive this morning ahead of his afternoon one-on-one with Leo, the first American — and Chicago-born — pope, whose advocacy on immigrant rights and historic apology on Monday for the Holy See’s role in legitimizing slavery will be top of the list for Johnson to discuss.
—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
Strong suggests legitimizing and standardizing station tattoos, making a design readily available if deputies want to pay homage to their workplace, as other departments across the nation do.
—
Sierra Van Der Brug,
Daily News,
28 May 2026
Social integrity asks what AI legitimizes as knowledge and truth.
—
Hamilton Mann,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for legitimize
Brandon Gomez,
CNBC,
31 May 2026
The mayor himself will arrive this morning ahead of his afternoon one-on-one with Leo, the first American — and Chicago-born — pope, whose advocacy on immigrant rights and historic apology on Monday for the Holy See’s role in legitimizing slavery will be top of the list for Johnson to discuss.
—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
Strong suggests legitimizing and standardizing station tattoos, making a design readily available if deputies want to pay homage to their workplace, as other departments across the nation do.
—
Sierra Van Der Brug,
Daily News,
28 May 2026
Social integrity asks what AI legitimizes as knowledge and truth.
—
Hamilton Mann,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for legitimize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimize
Verb
-
That political independence has enabled the Fed to make decisions that might be unpopular in the short term, but that have the best interests of the US economy in mind for the long term.
-
The service enables anyone to show up at a DASH office with a package less than 16 ounces and get it on the next flight out, subject to Transportation Security Administration regulations.
Verb
-
The Bureau of Land Management recently authorized construction of access roads, groundwater monitoring wells, and overhead power infrastructure on public land within the project area.
-
But that refurbishment, authorized by a National Park Service contract in April, is only the latest in a saga of repairs, cleaning and improvement efforts that dates back more than 50 years.
Verb
-
These lands have been open for leasing for many decades and this decision validates decisions made in the past.
-
Recent upgrades include the Strategic Weapons Systems Ashore testing facility, which reached full operational capability in late 2024 to validate future upgrades to the Trident weapon system before fleet deployment.
Verb
-
Websites like AirHelp can assist you in learning what you’re entitled to based on your itinerary, and in claiming the compensation you’re owed.
-
That they are entitled to not wear the uniforms, that they’re entitled to express their religious beliefs.
Verb
-
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.
-
The only path from bubble team to legitimate Stanley Cup contender requires making major upgrades at a faster rate than the stars’ decline.
Verb
-
The ranking covers cities of at least 5,000 households that qualify as suburbs of larger cities.
-
Morocco has qualified for six World Cups but had a two-decade-long gap after its fourth appearance in 1998.
Verb
-
Recreational swimming is not permitted, yet anglers fishing for tilapia, largemouth bass and carp are a common sight along the rocky sides of the soft-bottom areas.
-
The Boston southpaw didn’t permit a baserunner until Spencer Jones, who botched a ball in center field a half-inning later, singled in the sixth inning.
Cite this Entry
“Legitimize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legitimize. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
