as in to enable
to make something real, accepted, or official
slang words legitimized by usage
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Recent Examples of legitimize
Voting in Mexico is not mandatory and there is no minimum turnout required to legitimize an election.
—
Reuters, CNN Money, 2 June 2025
Both serve the same function: Such large-scale institutional investment in crypto—whether from the government or a company—further legitimizes these digital currencies, ensuring their long-term viability as an asset class.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 10 June 2025
Management also added veteran talent to legitimize the Fever as a true contender.
—Doug Kezirian, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Obama’s singular goal was to ink something that could be called a nuclear deal, even one that legitimized Iran’s uranium enrichment and missile program.
—The Editors, National Review, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for legitimize
Reuters, CNN Money, 2 June 2025
Both serve the same function: Such large-scale institutional investment in crypto—whether from the government or a company—further legitimizes these digital currencies, ensuring their long-term viability as an asset class.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 10 June 2025
Management also added veteran talent to legitimize the Fever as a true contender.
—Doug Kezirian, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Obama’s singular goal was to ink something that could be called a nuclear deal, even one that legitimized Iran’s uranium enrichment and missile program.
—The Editors, National Review, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for legitimize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimize
Verb
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There’s a fine line between compatibility and codependency, having compassion for another person’s failings and enabling them.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
10 July 2025
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Full subscription of the retail offer would raise an additional 1.2 million pounds, which will be used to drive the business and enable Baldo’s turnaround plan.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
10 July 2025
Verb
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On Sunday, President Donald Trump signed a Major Disaster Declaration authorizing federal disaster aid and activating the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).—
Nikki McCann Ramirez,
Rolling Stone,
7 July 2025
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Lopez told Murray on Wednesday that he's no longer authorized to sell Infowars' assets and vacated the September order that detailed the terms of the auction.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
5 July 2025
Verb
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The experience was unifying, validating, and empowering.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
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Cowards need a crowd to cheer them on to validate their selfish actions.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 July 2025
Verb
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The new album, entitled Friends & Family 2, is comprised of cover versions of songs by bands and musicians who shared the stage with Firefall members in the 1970s.—
Gary Stoller,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
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Vera added that California tenants are not legally entitled to a parking spot, so charging for it is common.—
Phillip Molnar,
Oc Register,
7 July 2025
Verb
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An offer from Washington to reduce tensions with the West will not succeed on its own; after all, Putin relies on such tensions to legitimate his iron political grip.—
Charles Kupchan,
Foreign Affairs,
4 Aug. 2021
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In response, elites double down, weaponizing the claim of misinformation to legitimate the stifling of debate.—
Jacob Hale Russell,
TIME,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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To qualify for the deduction, a vehicle also must be assembled in the U.S., which further limits the tax break.—
Alain Sherter,
CBS News,
14 July 2025
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Properties that have received federal disaster aid in the past also must be covered by flood insurance to qualify for future assistance.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Fishing is permitted anywhere on the lake, and popular spots to try to catch something (while not on a boat) include Bear Lake State Park Marina and Cisco Beach on the Utah side of the lake.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
13 July 2025
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In a LinkedIn post, Farley called for speeding up permitting processes, increasing spending on vocational training, leveraging robotics and augmented reality to help with these spaces and suggested an AmeriCorps-type program for these roles.—
Breana Noble,
Boston Herald,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Legitimize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legitimize. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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