LEGITIMIZED Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

legitimized

verb

past tense of legitimize

as in authorized

to make something real, accepted, or official slang words legitimized by usage

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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 legitimized Mass media genres are developed and legitimized to voice particular concerns and provide pleasures that align with audiences’ interests. — Tham Thi Nguyen, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026 Leo’s own family history and past apologies Kellerman welcomed Leo’s apology, but said more needs to be done to further acknowledge how the Catholic Church legitimized and expanded slavery. — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026 Trump signed the Genius Act in July, legislation that legitimized the technology. — Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026 In many ways, your involvement as an investor in and adviser to Vice legitimized the company and its larger-than-life leader, Shane Smith. — Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 17 Nov. 2025 This was legitimized as a way to protect the country from further invasions – which the French were constantly threatening to do. — Julia Gaffield, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025 Parcells legitimized the franchise upon his arrival as a Super Bowl-winning coach in 1993 and took the Patriots to the playoffs in two of his four seasons. — Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 21 Sep. 2025 Notably, numerous high-profile cable news has-beens have legitimized Owens' outrageous laundering of a left-wing political assassination into an anti-Semitic caper. — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025 If there was any question, the ownership of the top spot was legitimized by the company's recent rights deal with Paramount Plus. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimized

Verb

The San Diego Padres will call up top catching prospect Ethan Salas when rosters expand Tuesday, a team source told The Athletic on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the move.

— Dennis Lin, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Cities and counties would be authorized to charge fees for the inspections under the bill.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of authorized

Verb

Is she entitled to additional spousal benefits because of the repeal of GPO?

— Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Another form of profiling, though less common than active mistreatment but still harmful, occurs when police intentionally deprive minorities of protection and other services to which they are entitled.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of entitled

Verb

The advent of polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, testing, in the nineteen-eighties, enabled scientists to make numerous copies of the DNA or RNA in a sample, and that dramatically increased the sensitivity of diagnostic tests.

— Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026
The adversaries' willingness to endure pain and the determination of their leaders to survive have sometimes enabled them to play a long game, outwaiting American patience.

— Susan Page, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of enabled

Verb

Fiscus declined to answer if the team sanctioned the workout.

— Katie Strang, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
On Monday, the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned more than 60 new entities, individuals and vessels accused of helping Iran procure nuclear and missile technology, conduct cyber operations and generate oil revenue.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of sanctioned

Verb

Although he is licensed to practice in Florida, Tennessee and the District of Columbia, Crump often partners with local attorneys to help elevate cases across the nation.

— Ryan Young, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
The rails underneath Solowin's Bahrain subsidiary was licensed by that country's central bank in June to issue stablecoins, the first granted under that framework.

— Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of licensed

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legitimized

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“Legitimized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legitimized. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of legitimized

verb

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