delegitimize

Strip of credibility

To delegitimize is to undermine or remove the legitimacy of something—to make it seem invalid, illegitimate, or unworthy of respect.

The term appears most often in political contexts: attempts to delegitimize the election results, critics accuse the regime of delegitimizing dissent.

Delegitimize suggests a deliberate campaign rather than a natural loss of credibility.

invalidate

nullify

Make of no effect

annulDeclare legally void
voidWithout legal effect
repealAnnul a statute

rescind · abrogate · quash · overturn · revoke · abolish · vacate · vitiate · negate · countermand

challenge

question

Request for information

disputeVerbal clash over differences
contestOrganized competitive event
interrogateQuestion formally and persistently

scrutinize · probe · cross-examine · rebut · refute · object · demur · investigate · examine · skepticism

undermine

subvert

Secretly weaken authority

sabotageDeliberate disruption of operations
destabilizeMake unsteady or insecure
erodeDiminish through persistent friction

weaken · impair · compromise · disrupt · undercut · diminish · devalue · sap · hollow out · chip away

deauthorize

revoke

Officially cancel authorization

prohibitFormally disallow
banOfficial restriction on something
forbidDeclare not allowed

veto · block · disallow · suspend · embargo · proscribe · interdict · sanction · disenfranchise · depose

discredit

smear

Spread or defame

slanderSpoken false defamation
defameHarm reputation falsely
denigrateCriticize unfairly to harm

disparage · tarnish · vilify · impugn · besmirch · libel · calumniate · stigmatize · malign · mudslinging

delegitimize

nullify

question

subvert

revoke

smear

delegitimize

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