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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If portions of the page appear blank and an ad blocker is enabled, please disable the ad blocker and refresh the page to ensure full access to the content.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
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Using magnetic fields, this system enables power transfer to electric ships without physical metal contact, shielding vital components from nature’s corrosive elements.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 May 2026
Verb
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The searches were being conducted at daycares, businesses and some residences, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the investigation.—
Mark Vancleave,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, a group dedicated to hunters and fisherman, helped develop and pass the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act, which authorizes an annual $70 million investment through 2028 to fund research aimed at curbing the spread of the disease.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For China, the country with the greatest potential to challenge American military might, the war validates its focus on new forms of warfare such as drones and cyber and space power.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
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This validates the author’s argument that portfolio exposure reshapes corporate behavior.—
Anis Uzzaman,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
Verb
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There is also an industry strand, entitled The Business Forum.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
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In Connecticut, anyone facing a charge that carries possible life imprisonment is entitled to such a hearing.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 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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No one with the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office was immediately able to answer the Statesman’s question about whether vacant lots qualify for voter registration.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Apr. 2026
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State government collects hundreds of millions from facilities via the tax — then returns those funds as part of a complex arrangement to qualify for extra federal Medicaid reimbursements.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 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 10 May. 2026.
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