delegitimisation
Stripping of credibility
Delegitimisation is the process of undermining something's legitimacy or authority—stripping away the credibility, acceptance, or rightful standing it once held.
Governments, institutions, and movements can all be targets: The campaign aimed at the delegitimisation of the ruling party.
The spelling with -isation is British; American English uses delegitimization.
Weaken by stealth
- erodeDiminish through persistent friction
- weakenReduce in strength
- destabilizeMake unsteady or insecure
- subvertSecretly weaken authority
sabotage · dismantle · corrode · chip away · hollow out · institutional decay · credibility gap
Harm another's reputation
- smearSpread or defame
- defameHarm reputation falsely
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- vilifyAttack someone's reputation
denigrate · tarnish · besmirch · impugn · libel · calumniate · disinformation · misinformation
Mark with dishonor
- ostracizeExclude from a group
- marginalizeTreat as insignificant
- excludeBar from participation
- shamePainful awareness of failure
disgrace · scapegoat · otherize · dehumanize · alienate · discrimination · prejudice · outcast
Make of no effect
- annulDeclare legally void
- voidWithout legal effect
- invalidateMake null or void
- revokeOfficially cancel authorization
rescind · abrogate · repeal · quash · overturn · negate · cancel · disqualify
Replacement of governing power
- coupAbrupt seizure of power
- insurrectionViolent uprising against authority
- election denialDisputing official vote outcomes
- voter suppressionTactics discouraging ballot access
disenfranchisement · authoritarianism · populism · polarization · demagoguery · propaganda · censorship · dissent
undermine
Weaken by stealth
- erodeDiminish through persistent friction
- weakenReduce in strength
- destabilizeMake unsteady or insecure
subvert · sabotage · dismantle · corrode · chip away · hollow out · institutional decay · credibility gap
discredit
Harm another's reputation
vilify · denigrate · tarnish · besmirch · impugn · libel · calumniate · disinformation · misinformation · propaganda
stigmatize
Mark with dishonor
- ostracizeExclude from a group
- marginalizeTreat as insignificant
- excludeBar from participation
shame · disgrace · scapegoat · otherize · dehumanize · alienate · discrimination · prejudice · outcast · pariah
nullify
Make of no effect
- annulDeclare legally void
- voidWithout legal effect
- invalidateMake null or void
revoke · rescind · abrogate · repeal · quash · overturn · negate · cancel · disqualify · disenfranchise
regime change
Replacement of governing power
- coupAbrupt seizure of power
- insurrectionViolent uprising against authority
- election denialDisputing official vote outcomes
voter suppression · disenfranchisement · authoritarianism · populism · polarization · demagoguery · propaganda · censorship · dissent · protest
delegitimisationlegitimisation
Formal recognition as valid
legitimation · validation · authorization · authentication · accreditation
delegitimisationendorsement
Formal expression of support
vindication · approval · acceptance · rehabilitation · normalisation
delegitimisationvalidation
Confirming truth or accuracy
vindication · rehabilitation · credentialing · affirmation · approval