legitimize

verb

le·​git·​i·​mize li-ˈji-tə-ˌmīz How to pronounce legitimize (audio)
legitimized; legitimizing
legitimization noun
legitimizer noun

Examples of legitimize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Yet progressives advocate courts wielding judicial power to legitimize progressive practices — agencies’ semi-legislative activities, regardless of their incompatibility with the separation of powers. George F. Will, Washington Post, 10 July 2024 Prosecutors have accused Trump of actions including assembling slates of fraudulent presidential electors, enlisting the Justice Department to legitimize his false claims of voter fraud, and pressuring state officials and Vice President Mike Pence to overturn President Joe Biden’s victory. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 2 July 2024 To me, that legitimizes the hat as a true aperiodic monotile, although spectres are still interesting for their ability to avoid reflections. Aaron Shattuck, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2024 Homicidal mice and 4 other strange origin stories of royal families Almost all royal lines try to legitimize their rule with legendary origin stories. Big Think, 24 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for legitimize 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'legitimize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of legitimize was in 1646

Dictionary Entries Near legitimize

Cite this Entry

“Legitimize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legitimize. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

legitimize

verb
le·​git·​i·​mize li-ˈjit-ə-ˌmīz How to pronounce legitimize (audio)
legitimized; legitimizing

Legal Definition

legitimize

transitive verb
le·​git·​i·​mize lə-ˈji-tə-ˌmīz How to pronounce legitimize (audio)
legitimized; legitimizing
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!