delegitimize

especially British, de·le·git·i·ma·tize,
especially British, de·le·git·i·mise

[dee-li-jit-uh-mahyz]

verb (used with object)

delegitimized, delegitimizing 

1. to remove the legitimate or legal status of.

delegitimize

/ ˌdiːlɪˈdʒɪtɪˌmaɪz /

verb

1. to make invalid, illegal, or unacceptable

   crushing and delegitimizing all dissent in Central Asia

Other Word Forms

• delegitimization noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of delegitimize¹

de- + legitimize

Example Sentences

Spearheaded by the Soviet Union, its satellites and anti-Western Third World countries, the “Z/r” resolution was intended to delegitimize the state of Israel.

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It wants to implement Sharia law and is acting to delegitimize Sahelian states -- at both the military and political level -- by positioning itself as a more credible alternative.

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The idea wasn’t to subsume or co-opt the radicals, but to delegitimize them.

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I recently spoke with Graves about the right-wing capture of the Supreme Court and Roberts’ central role in delegitimizing the once-trusted institution in service to Trumpism.

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“Censoring or delegitimizing questions deemed ‘uncomfortable’ does not fall within the practice of democracy,” Polidoro wrote.

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