LEGITIMIZED Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

legitimized

verb

past tense of legitimize

as in authorized

to make something real, accepted, or official slang words legitimized by usage

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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 legitimized Mass media genres are developed and legitimized to voice particular concerns and provide pleasures that align with audiences’ interests. — Tham Thi Nguyen, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026 Leo’s own family history and past apologies Kellerman welcomed Leo’s apology, but said more needs to be done to further acknowledge how the Catholic Church legitimized and expanded slavery. — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026 Trump signed the Genius Act in July, legislation that legitimized the technology. — Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026 In many ways, your involvement as an investor in and adviser to Vice legitimized the company and its larger-than-life leader, Shane Smith. — Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 17 Nov. 2025 This was legitimized as a way to protect the country from further invasions – which the French were constantly threatening to do. — Julia Gaffield, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025 Parcells legitimized the franchise upon his arrival as a Super Bowl-winning coach in 1993 and took the Patriots to the playoffs in two of his four seasons. — Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 21 Sep. 2025 Notably, numerous high-profile cable news has-beens have legitimized Owens' outrageous laundering of a left-wing political assassination into an anti-Semitic caper. — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025 If there was any question, the ownership of the top spot was legitimized by the company's recent rights deal with Paramount Plus. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimized

Verb

The shots were extensively tested for safety before they were authorized for emergency use, with the FDA requiring at least two months of follow-up safety data after vaccinating trial participants.

— Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized on Sunday the use of federal funds to battle several fires, including the Autumn Lane Fire in Spokane County.

— Melissa Griffin, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of authorized

Verb

Victor Wembanyama took the 25-percent max, instead of a chance at the 30-percent max he would be entitled to receive, so his Spurs could have more flexibility.

— Dan Woike, New York Times, 31 July 2026
That means travelers are only entitled to full refunds for trips canceled within 24 hours of booking for flights departing at least a week later.

— Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Definition of entitled

Verb

This is being enabled by newer architectures like compute-in-memory that will increase performance and reduce costs.

— Lee-Lean Shu, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
That feeds back into the cycle of innovation and has enabled Ukrainian companies to take huge risks in developing drones, robots and other weapons, while learning from failures on how to harden their systems for modern battlefields.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of enabled

Verb

That allows manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers developing vehicles on NVIDIA’s architecture to evaluate a lidar sensor already validated for the platform instead of spending additional engineering time proving compatibility.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026
The goal is to ensure first impressions are validated by concrete evidence, not just gut feelings.

— Andy Molinsky, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of validated

Verb

The State Department had designated and sanctioned Ghezel Hesar Prison in 2024 for gross human rights violations and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of prisoners.

— Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026
In May, the Pentagon sanctioned multiple Chinese companies for providing satellite imagery to Iran during Operation Epic Fury.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of sanctioned

Verb

Immigration consultants are not attorneys, but can be licensed by California to perform certain functions, like filling out immigration forms.

— Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
The facility is licensed to house people with chronic mental illness, and had 26 people living there earlier this week.

— Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Definition of licensed

Browse Nearby Words

legitimize

legitimized

legitimizes

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“Legitimized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legitimized. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of legitimized

verb

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