as in authorizing
to make something real, accepted, or official
slang words legitimized by usage
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 legitimizing
The clean prose, self-criticism, and psychological insight give Young Man in a Hurry a reason to exist beyond legitimizing a book tour through the early-primary and swing states.
—
Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
What role did the press play in legitimizing American action in the Spanish American War and also bringing it to an end?
—Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
The international community must act responsibly, avoid falling for false narratives and distorted information and refrain from legitimizing a biased and unprofessional report.
—Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 2025
Companies have been forced to navigate a complex environment in which continuing operations risks legitimizing the junta, while withdrawal raises fears of mass job losses in an already devastated economy.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 22 Dec. 2025
Thus, peace in Ukraine will require a global effort to combat disinformation legitimizing Russia’s aggression and obscuring its war crimes.
—Valerie Morkevicius, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
This refers to malicious actors impersonating a legitimate software package or extension to trick an unwitting coder—or now, an AI—into downloading a malicious one instead, usually by slightly tweaking the name and legitimizing it with fake reviews.
—Sage Lazzaro, Fortune, 15 Dec. 2025
Listening does not mean legitimizing hate.
—Kerry Kennedy, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
The resolution could prove key to legitimizing a transitional governance body for Gaza and reassuring countries that are considering sending troops to the region.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
What role did the press play in legitimizing American action in the Spanish American War and also bringing it to an end?
—Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
The international community must act responsibly, avoid falling for false narratives and distorted information and refrain from legitimizing a biased and unprofessional report.
—Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 2025
Companies have been forced to navigate a complex environment in which continuing operations risks legitimizing the junta, while withdrawal raises fears of mass job losses in an already devastated economy.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 22 Dec. 2025
Thus, peace in Ukraine will require a global effort to combat disinformation legitimizing Russia’s aggression and obscuring its war crimes.
—Valerie Morkevicius, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
This refers to malicious actors impersonating a legitimate software package or extension to trick an unwitting coder—or now, an AI—into downloading a malicious one instead, usually by slightly tweaking the name and legitimizing it with fake reviews.
—Sage Lazzaro, Fortune, 15 Dec. 2025
Listening does not mean legitimizing hate.
—Kerry Kennedy, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
The resolution could prove key to legitimizing a transitional governance body for Gaza and reassuring countries that are considering sending troops to the region.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimizing
Verb
-
The state passed legislation in 2023 authorizing the dam’s acquisition.—
Jennifer Sinco Kelleher,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The state passed legislation in 2023 authorizing the dam’s acquisition.—
Jennifer Sinco Kelleher,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The aims have ranged from weakening Iran's nuclear program, missile program and support for armed proxies to enabling the Iranian people to overthrow the theocracy.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The modular design allows for three standard payload modules to be installed or one extra-large module, enabling missions such as Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare, and undersea cable and pipeline inspection.—
David Szondy
March 22,
New Atlas,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That includes validating the hardware design, preparing injection molds for the plastic components, certification and regulatory testing, quality control for a pilot batch, and finally, mass production.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Human personnel still play important roles in designing, managing, interpreting, validating, evaluating, repairing and protecting their systems and data flows.—
Jon R. Lindsay,
The Conversation,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The superintendent, general counsel and chief auditor qualify for the supplements due to provisions in their contracts entitling them to the same increases as other administrative staff, officials said.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Jan. 2026
-
The complaint alleges Johnson failed to disclose restricted stock units entitling him to 330,000 shares in his January 2024 bankruptcy petition.—
Zach Everson,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That’s not to say that good intentions place Ellis’ order above appellate scrutiny, although in my opinion, her sole (but significant) misstep was failing to give her orders teeth by sanctioning government lawyers and holding DHS agents in contempt of court.—
Seth Stern,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The Justice Department told a federal appeals court that judges who blocked executive orders sanctioning several law firms had infringed on the president’s authority.—
Mark Berman,
Washington Post,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Mahan’s campaign website lays out a multi-pronged approach to ensuring affordable housing in the state, including through capping fees and taxes on new infill housing and addressing permitting delays.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Since 1995, the project’s developers have spent several billion dollars on planning, permitting and legal cases.—
Adam Charles Simon,
The Conversation,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Legitimizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legitimizing. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
