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 This strategic move undermined the Nazis’ ability to use the monarchy to legitimize their occupation. — Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026 To Lucarelli, those imperfections only legitimize the challenge. — Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for legitimize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimize

Verb

Software—or any tool—should enable work, not bully someone into a specific behavior.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil has filed a civil rights lawsuit accusing Columbia University of ignoring harassment of pro-Palestinian students and enabling online doxing that preceded his 2025 immigration detention.

— Sudhin Thanawala, Los Angeles Times, 14 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

Definition of qualify

Verb

Housing shortages sometimes happen when cities can’t issue residential building permits fast enough to keep vacancy rates low and rent high in a secondary market.

— Justin Donald, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Paul permitted a possession-ending third down sack to All Pro Crosby early in the fourth quarter, with the Dolphins down 13.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026