as in to enable
to make something real, accepted, or official
slang words legitimized by usage
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of legitimize
Weaving does little to challenge that image here, utilizing all her usual tricks as a bitter thespian who lacks the talent to land the theater role that will legitimize her as a serious actress.
—
Katie Rife, IndieWire, 16 Mar. 2026
Critics described the vote organized by the military government as an effort to legitimize its rule.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Khamenei was both Hezbollah’s political ally and its paramount spiritual guide; the group followed his religious rulings and used his authority to legitimize violent acts.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
The lineup has a pulse — mostly because Bryce Eldridge is a monstrous human being who looks poised to legitimize the bottom third of the lineup with glove-exploding exit velocities.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legitimize
Katie Rife, IndieWire, 16 Mar. 2026
Critics described the vote organized by the military government as an effort to legitimize its rule.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Khamenei was both Hezbollah’s political ally and its paramount spiritual guide; the group followed his religious rulings and used his authority to legitimize violent acts.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
The lineup has a pulse — mostly because Bryce Eldridge is a monstrous human being who looks poised to legitimize the bottom third of the lineup with glove-exploding exit velocities.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legitimize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimize
Verb
-
That vision of worldwide economic and cultural interdependence that enabled the proliferation of biennials in the ’90s has been steadily eroding amid the recent rise in nativism and far-right movements in the United States and Europe.—
Smooth Nzewi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Shackelford accused Hernandez of corruption, and her own department of enabling and covering it up, in a detailed whistleblower complaint to DeSantis’ Chief Inspector General.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But because of exceptions authorized by federal officials, few immigrants had their DNA collected.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Under the emergency order, the school must immediately cease operations and may not provide massage education services in Texas unless otherwise authorized.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The proof-of-concept has already been validated, and the product is now entering the industrialization phase.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Apr. 2026
-
After both hatches are secured, the closeout crew does a final inspection of the vehicle, looking for any signs of damage, validating mechanical seals, verifying environmental conditions and performing final leak checks.—
Miles Doran,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Knowing the cause of a delay helps passengers understand if they are entitled to compensation.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize.—
Staff Reports,
The Providence Journal,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
These programs were designed to provide tax credits to legitimate businesses for employment taxes and wages.—
Chase Jordan
January 10,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Post-Europe is a response to this seemingly repetitive situation and the increasing tendency of legitimating a nationalist and fascist discourse.—
Daniel Birnbaum,
Artforum,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
How Much Filing Could Now Cost With Direct File gone, Americans who do not qualify for—or cannot successfully navigate—the IRS Free File program could turn to commercial software.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Under a new law, some items, including candy and certain sugary drinks, will no longer qualify through the program at grocery stores statewide.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The case focuses specifically on Maryland’s ability to block Kalshi from offering sports-event contracts in the state -– such as whether the Orioles will win the American League East division —that Maryland says amount to rogue sports bets not permitted by its law.—
Jeff Barker,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Apr. 2026
-
As for the Yankees, Will Warren, Ryan Weathers and Max Fried will look to continue the dominance of a rotation that has only permitted two runs through six games.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Legitimize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legitimize. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
