delegitimation
Stripping perceived validity
Delegitimation is the process of undermining or stripping away legitimacy—the perceived rightness or authority of an institution, government, or social arrangement.
Political opponents engage in delegitimation when they challenge whether a regime has the right to rule: The opposition's strategy focused on delegitimation of the election results.
The word appears mainly in academic and political discourse.
Harm another's reputation
- undermineWeaken by stealth
- smearSpread or defame
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- slanderSpoken false defamation
tarnish · disparage · impugn · besmirch · vilify · denigrate · stigmatize · denunciation
Formal cancellation of validity
- annulmentDeclared void from start
- voidingNullifying or emptying
- revocationOfficial cancellation of privilege
- repealAnnul a statute
abrogation · rescission · cancellation · quashing · negation · repudiation · overturning · dissolution
Gradual wearing away
- destabilizeMake unsteady or insecure
- weakenReduce in strength
- distrustAbsence of confidence
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
institutional decay · disenfranchise · disempower · demoralize · hollowing out · corruption · dysfunction · legitimacy crisis
Formal refusal to accept
- disavowalRejection of connection
- renunciationFormal surrender of claim
- denunciationFormal public accusation
- dismissalRemoval from position
refusal · boycott · nonrecognition · withdrawal of consent · vetoing · disapproval · ostracism · exclusion
Replacement of governing power
- coupAbrupt seizure of power
- revolutionViolent governmental overthrow
- insurrectionViolent uprising against authority
- seditionInciting revolt against government
insurgency · dissent · resistance · disobedience · noncompliance · polarization · partisanship · demagoguery
discredit
Harm another's reputation
- undermineWeaken by stealth
- smearSpread or defame
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
slander · tarnish · disparage · impugn · besmirch · vilify · denigrate · stigmatize · denunciation · disrepute
nullification
Formal cancellation of validity
- annulmentDeclared void from start
- voidingNullifying or emptying
- revocationOfficial cancellation of privilege
repeal · abrogation · rescission · cancellation · quashing · negation · repudiation · overturning · dissolution · retraction
erosion
Gradual wearing away
- destabilizeMake unsteady or insecure
- weakenReduce in strength
- distrustAbsence of confidence
skepticism · institutional decay · disenfranchise · disempower · demoralize · hollowing out · corruption · dysfunction · legitimacy crisis
repudiation
Formal refusal to accept
- disavowalRejection of connection
- renunciationFormal surrender of claim
- denunciationFormal public accusation
dismissal · refusal · boycott · nonrecognition · withdrawal of consent · vetoing · disapproval · ostracism · exclusion · alienation
regime change
Replacement of governing power
- coupAbrupt seizure of power
- revolutionViolent governmental overthrow
- insurrectionViolent uprising against authority
sedition · insurgency · dissent · resistance · disobedience · noncompliance · polarization · partisanship · demagoguery · populism
delegitimationlegitimation
Formal recognition as lawful
legitimization · legitimisation · validation · authorization · endorsement
legal, delegate, legitimate, legit, relegate, illegitimate, legality, legislature, legitimize