LEGITIMIZES Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

legitimizes

verb

present tense third-person singular of legitimize

as in authorizes

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 legitimizes The consent of the people, via their vote, is what legitimizes government action after all. — Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 11 Nov. 2026 Here the sticker remains, protected by its status as an artwork and by the German institution whose physical enclosure legitimizes it as such. — Erika Landström, Artforum, 2 June 2026 Social integrity asks what AI legitimizes as knowledge and truth. — Hamilton Mann, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026 Those who earn more than $600 per year get a 1099 tax form, which in the eyes of many creators legitimizes their work, said Bridget Crawford, a law professor at Pace University who has published studies on the economics behind OnlyFans. — Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 14 May 2026 The order largely legitimizes medical marijuana programs in 40 states and grants operators major tax breaks and cannabis research access for the first time. — Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026 Blanche's action Iargely legitimizes medical marijuana programs in the 40 states that have adopted them. — ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026 His stamp of approval seemingly legitimizes the greatest promise of generative AI—to push the frontier of human knowledge and civilization. — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026 Legalized prostitution enables and legitimizes the degradation of human beings, especially women who make up the majority of prostitutes. — Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 24 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimizes

Verb

The resolution considered last week — which authorizes the mayor and city clerk to execute a TIF redevelopment agreement for the project — was ultimately approved by the council in a 6-4 vote.

— Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026
Critics say the arch lacks required congressional approval and could disrupt traffic and emergency response; the administration argues a century-old law authorizes the memorial.

— Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of authorizes

Verb

This enables multi-finger gestures and pressure-sensitive controls similar to those found on laptop trackpads.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2026
But her belief in the permeable and cumulative nature of identity enables Courtney to reckon with her mistakes as part of a process of learning, rather than immovable indicators of good or bad character.

— Jamie Hood, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of enables

Verb

Federal law entitles candidates to broadcasters' lowest unit rate during the final 60 days before a general election; outside groups get no such protection.

— Luke Fountain, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
The school board voted Tuesday to terminate Hill for convenience, a contractual designation that entitles her to severance.

— Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of entitles

Verb

Each team checks its own systems, validates availability, assesses cost impact, secures approvals and manually triggers updates across downstream systems.

— Jayashree Arunkumar, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
If further testing validates the approach, the Army could gain more flexibility from its existing launchers and munitions while preparing future precision fires systems for increasingly mobile battlefield threats.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of validates

Verb

The California Department of Housing and Community Development reports that in Sacramento County, a one-person household qualifies for low-income eligibility if its income is $73,600 a year or less.

— Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026
The film won the Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival, which qualifies it to compete for the Oscar for international feature film under new Academy rules.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of qualifies

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“Legitimizes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legitimizes. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of legitimizes

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