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Definition of legitimatize

legitimatize

/lɪˈdʒɪtɪmətaɪz/
(UK: legitimatise)
le · git · i · ma · tize
Adverb:legitimately
•
Adjective:legitimate
•
Past Simple:legitimatized
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Past Participle:legitimatized
•
Present Participle:legitimatizing
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legitimatize Lexical Profile

legitimatize Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To make lawful, valid, or acceptable; to justify or give official sanction to.

Example

"The new treaty helped legitimatize the transitional council in the eyes of the international community."

2

To declare or grant legal status to a child born out of wedlock.

Example

"Under the revised family code, the parents were able to legitimatize their children through a simple civil registration."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for legitimatize
Antonyms
View all antonyms for legitimatize

Word Nuance & Usage

While 'legitimatize' is a recognized dictionary form, modern English writers and editors strongly prefer the shorter variants 'legitimize' or 'legitimate' as a verb.

• Nearby Words

legitimacy
legitimate
legitimately
legitimatize
legitimize
legless
leglike

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the early 19th century from the adjective 'legitimate' (derived from Medieval Latin 'legitimatus', meaning 'made legal') plus the verbal suffix '-ize'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Legitimatize. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/legitimatize
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