delegitimize

American  

[dee-li-jit-uh-mahyz] / ˌdi lɪˈdʒɪt əˌmaɪz /

especially British, delegitimatize, especially british, delegitimise

verb (used with object)

delegitimized, delegitimizing

1. to remove the legitimate or legal status of.

---

delegitimize British  

/ ˌdiːlɪˈdʒɪtɪˌmaɪz /

verb

1. to make invalid, illegal, or unacceptable

   crushing and delegitimizing all dissent in Central Asia

---

Other Word Forms

• delegitimization noun

Etymology

Origin of delegitimize

de- + legitimize

Example Sentences

The idea wasn’t to subsume or co-opt the radicals, but to delegitimize them.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Censoring or delegitimizing questions deemed ‘uncomfortable’ does not fall within the practice of democracy,” Polidoro wrote.

From Salon

In some ways, yes, but only if we discount and delegitimize the lived experience and impact of psychological suffering.

From Salon

Polidoro’s statement also said, “Censoring or delegitimizing questions considered ‘uncomfortable’ does not fall within the practice of democracy.

From Los Angeles Times

When a stitch isn’t working, or I mess up the seam, I’ll delegitimize myself a little bit and think I’m a fraud because I’m having people pay me for this.

From Los Angeles Times