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.

Nearby words

legitimate government, legitimation, legitimatize, legitime, legitimist, legitimize, leglen, legless, legman, legnica, lego

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

Origin of legitimize

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

Related forms

le·git·i·mi·za·tion, noun

Can be confused

legitimate 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 Forms

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