legitimize

[ li-jit-uh-mahyz ]

/ lɪˈdʒɪt əˌmaɪz /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR legitimize ON THESAURUS.COM

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

to make legitimate.

Nearby words

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for legitimize

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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
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
Very well; I'll legitimize him by marrying the young Clementine.
The Man With The Broken Ear|Edmond About
Huysmans it was who gently persuaded Villiers to make a deathbed marriage and legitimize his son.
Iconoclasts|James Huneker
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

British Dictionary definitions for legitimize

legitimize

legitimise legitimatize or legitimatise (lɪˈdʒɪtɪməˌtaɪz)

/ (lɪˈdʒɪtɪˌmaɪz) /

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

legitimize

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

legitimize

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

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of legitimize

Examples from the Web for legitimize

legitimize

legitimise legitimatize or legitimatise (lɪˈdʒɪtɪməˌtaɪz)

verb

legitimize