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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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 legitimized That victory made the Myanmar native a champion questioned by some, but Van legitimized his reign by prevailing in a grueling battle against Tatsuro Taira last May, stopping his challenger in the final round. — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026 The Peruvian system has a solid institutional foundation that was legitimized over time and is supported by the Peruvian public. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026 Arizona's recognition of the bolo legitimized the piece as more than a nontraditional tie. — Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 31 Aug. 2026 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legitimized

Verb

The Biden administration subsequently extended the designation, most recently in January 2025, when DHS authorized an additional 18 months of protection through October 2026.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
The Lakers looked into acquiring center Jericho Sims from the Milwaukee Bucks during the preseason in exchange for Knecht, sources close to the situation but not authorized to speak publicly told The Times.

— Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of authorized

Verb

But the Houthis hold significant territory along Yemen's Red Sea coast, which has enabled them to threaten vessels there and in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the southern gateway to the Red Sea and another key chokepoint for global energy supplies.

— Frank Andrews, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Besides profound conversation, HomeView, when paired with a compatible Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad, can use personal context from apps such as Messages and Calendar to garner more relevant responses.

— muskanbhatia, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of enabled

Verb

During the test, the aircraft validated not only the takeoff system, but the ability to maneuver at various altitudes and make in-flight mission adjustments while the systems checked for airworthiness.

— David Szondy October 15, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
Once this is validated, the bag is produced in its finished form.

— Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of validated

Verb

She has never been investigated for malpractice or been sanctioned by the medical board, the records showed.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Oct. 2026
The owner of one of the largest natural gas providers in Russia not managed by the state, Mikhelson became one the first individuals to be sanctioned in the UK shortly after the war’s onset.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of sanctioned

Verb

Patients complete an online survey covering their skin concerns, history, current routine and goals, which is reviewed by a clinician licensed in their state.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia defended calling herself a lawyer, even though she is not licensed to be an attorney at law.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of licensed

Verb

However, his family has not been permitted a new in-person visit to independently assess his condition.

— Mitch Picasso, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
In my view, the root cause is corporate power—the way modern corporations are owned, governed, and permitted to organize markets and politics to their own advantage—and how relentlessly that power has concentrated over the past 50 years.

— Christopher Marquis, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of permitted

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legitimize

legitimized

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Style

“Legitimized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legitimized. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of legitimized

verb

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