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 The Peruvian system has a solid institutional foundation that was legitimized over time and is supported by the Peruvian public. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026 Those issues persist, even as the field has tried to further professionalize and legitimize itself. — Lauren Chan, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026 Arizona's recognition of the bolo legitimized the piece as more than a nontraditional tie. — Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 31 Aug. 2026 This strategic move undermined the Nazis’ ability to use the monarchy to legitimize their occupation. — Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for legitimize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimize

Verb

The technology enabled compression; the growth came from expansion.

— Sumeet Salwan, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026
In 1953, things came to a head when she was sent home from India while filming Elephant Walk with her hard-drinking, enabling lover Peter Finch.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of enable

Verb

The Resolutions Living home operates in a regulatory gray area and is not authorized to provide medical care.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
The soldiers discussed their faith at the front on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

— CNN Staff, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of authorize

Verb

Every machine on the high-volume line was engineered and validated on EnerVenue’s R&D line, six kilometers away, before it was committed to production here, according to a press release.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
Haase’s team also checks if Zalando customers might be searching for the trend, as a way of validating the agents’ information.

— Cathrin Schaer, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of validate

Verb

Refund rights are not changing The new rule does not affect when travelers are entitled to get their money back.

— Bailey Berg, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2026
The collection, entitled City Town Country, fused many of Kane’s design signatures with Mulberry’s heritage materials and silhouettes.

— Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 21 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

The trial court will need to decide whether the university was legally justified in concealing and redacting certain documents and whether Abraham qualifies for attorneys' fees.

— Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 22 Sep. 2026
When dollar settlement is selected, Square converts the qualifying payment into dollars.

— Karen Koehler, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of qualify

Verb

The analyst added that similar uranium mine projects are not fully permitted, giving NexGen an edge over competitors and making its stock especially appealing to investors.

— Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026
The terms of an authorization typically identify the provider or entity permitted to disclose information, which records are included, the date range, the recipient, and the expiration and revocation language.

— Matthew Kayser, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026