legitimize

[ li-jit-uh-mahyz ]

See synonyms for: legitimize legitimized on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),le·git·i·mized, le·git·i·miz·ing.

to make legitimate.

Origin of legitimize

First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin lēgitim(us) (see legitim) + -ize

Also especially British, le·git·i·mise .
Also le·git·i·ma·tize, especially British, le·git·i·ma·tise [li-jit-uh-muh-tahyz] /lɪˈdʒɪt ə məˌtaɪz/ .

Other words from legitimize

le·git·i·mi·za·tion, noun

Words that may be confused with legitimize

legitimate, legitimize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use legitimize in a sentence

This is the sanction invoked to legitimise every adventure in invasion and colonisation.
The Open Secret of Ireland | T. M. Kettle
In them Goethe's words were fulfilled: "None are so Legitimist as those who can legitimise themselves."
Main Currents in Nineteenth Century Literature, Vol. II (of 6): The Romantic School in Germany | Georg Brandes
Carlo Malatesta went to infinite trouble to legitimise Galeotto and Sigismondo, his brother's illegitimate children.
Memoirs of the Dukes of Urbino, Volume I (of 3) | James Dennistoun
To-day or never he will say to me, 'A marriage must legitimise the birth of our child!'
The Mysteries of Paris, Volume 6 of 6 | Eugne Sue

British Dictionary definitions for legitimize

legitimize

legitimise legitimatize or legitimatise (lɪˈdʒɪtɪməˌtaɪz)

/ (lɪˈdʒɪtɪˌmaɪz) /

verb

(tr) to make legitimate; legalize

Derived forms of legitimize

legitimization, legitimisation, legitimatization or legitimatisation, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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