legitimize

American  

[li-jit-uh-mahyz] / lɪˈdʒɪt əˌmaɪz /

especially British, legitimise especially british, legitimatize,

verb (used with object)

legitimized, legitimizing

1. to make legitimate.

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legitimize British  

/ lɪˈdʒɪtɪməˌtaɪz, lɪˈdʒɪtɪˌmaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to make legitimate; legalize

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Other Word Forms

• legitimization noun

Etymology

Origin of legitimize

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

Example Sentences

With such blatant motives, the press can either interrogate this relationship or help legitimize it.

From Salon

There’s nothing inherently dangerous about them, except this: Zero-dated options enshrine and legitimize gambling behaviors, which have always existed in markets, though rarely this level.

From Barron's

The picture of Russia emerging triumphant and legitimized from such a deal is, ahem, at variance with reality.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Seeing Peggy get her Cinderella moment legitimized her as one of the romantic leads of the show,” Benton says.

From Los Angeles Times

In the decades that followed, in his complementary positions as book critic and editor, Cowley worked tirelessly to legitimize the innovative writing of Hemingway, John Dos Passos, Hart Crane, E.E.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• codify
• constitute
• decriminalize
• legislate
• regulate