legitimize

[li-jit-uh-mahyz]

See more synonyms for legitimize on Thesaurus.com

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

to make legitimate.

Also especially British, le·git·i·mise.

Origin of legitimize

1840–50; < Latin lēgitim(us) (see legitim) + -ize

Related formsle·git·i·mi·za·tion, noun

Can be confusedlegitimate legitimize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for legitimize

Contemporary Examples

For Easley, one of the most important steps to helping her husband was learning to legitimize her own position as a caregiver.
When the War Comes Home
Sara Stewart
October 16, 2014
Those $2 billion have also served to legitimize the work other companies have been doing to expand the VR experience.
The Game You Wear on Your Face: Virtual Reality Is Finally Here
Alec Kubas-Meyer
May 8, 2014
Legitimize contributions of a size that virtually guarantees special attention from office-holders?
The Answer to the McCutcheon Decision Is More Big Money in Politics
Jonathan Rauch
April 3, 2014
He has gone out of his way to legitimize and justify the actions of Putin.
Ron Paul Is Supporting Russia’s Illegal Occupation of Crimea
James Kirchick
March 16, 2014
The nightmare that looms ahead now is likely to be a pseudo-democratic process meant to legitimize a popular dictator.
Egypt’s Arab Spring Gives Way To Spring Of The Patriarch
Christopher Dickey
January 10, 2014

Historical Examples

Very well; I'll legitimize him by marrying the young Clementine.
The Man With The Broken Ear
Edmond About
No easy-going doctrines, then, to legitimize vice, says Ozanam.
How France Built Her Cathedrals
Elizabeth Boyle O'Reilly
If the woman has won you round to legitimize the connection, first, I've a proper claim to see her marriage lines.
Lord Ormont and his Aminta, Complete
George Meredith
He did not dare ask Charity for a divorce in order that he might legitimize this byblow of his.
We Can't Have Everything
Rupert Hughes
It is time, if they are well founded, to give a solemn stamp to their certainty, and legitimize their existence.
The Ruins
C. F. [Constantin Francois de] Volney

British Dictionary definitions for legitimize

legitimize

legitimise legitimatize or legitimatise (lɪˈdʒɪtɪməˌtaɪz)

verb

(tr) to make legitimate; legalize

Derived Formslegitimization, 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

Word Origin and History for legitimize

v.

1795, from Latin legitimus (see legitimate) + -ize. Earlier was legitimatize (1791). Related: Legitimized; legitimizing.

legitimize

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Related Words

Examples from the Web for legitimize

Contemporary Examples

For Easley, one of the most important steps to helping her husband was learning to legitimize her own position as a caregiver.

Those $2 billion have also served to legitimize the work other companies have been doing to expand the VR experience.

Legitimize contributions of a size that virtually guarantees special attention from office-holders?

He has gone out of his way to legitimize and justify the actions of Putin.

The nightmare that looms ahead now is likely to be a pseudo-democratic process meant to legitimize a popular dictator.

Historical Examples

Very well; I'll legitimize him by marrying the young Clementine.

No easy-going doctrines, then, to legitimize vice, says Ozanam.

If the woman has won you round to legitimize the connection, first, I've a proper claim to see her marriage lines.

He did not dare ask Charity for a divorce in order that he might legitimize this byblow of his.

It is time, if they are well founded, to give a solemn stamp to their certainty, and legitimize their existence.

legitimize

legitimise legitimatize or legitimatise (lɪˈdʒɪtɪməˌtaɪz)

Word Origin and History for legitimize

v.

Origin of legitimize