legitimating
Granting formal approval
Legitimating is the act of making something legitimate—giving it official status, legal standing, or social acceptance.
Laws may have the effect of legitimating previously informal arrangements: The court ruling had the effect of legitimating same-sex marriages nationwide.
The word often carries a critical edge, suggesting that approval is being conferred on something questionable: Critics accused the media of legitimating extremist views by covering them.
Approval or punitive measure
- approvalFavorable opinion given
- ratificationFormal approval by authority
- confirmationEstablishing something as true
- backingAid or sponsorship
support · affirmation · consent · assent · recognition · acknowledgment · advocacy · blessing
Confirming genuine identity
- verificationProving something accurate
- substantiationProof of truth
- corroborationEvidence confirming another account
- certificationAttestation of qualification
accreditation · attestation · documentation · proof · evidence · testimony · credentialing · vetting
Clearance of blame
- defenseProtection against harm
- rationalizationInventing acceptable motives afterward
- explanationStatement making something clear
- groundsBasis for justification
reasoning · warrant · apologia · excuse · basis · rationale · argumentation
Supreme independent authority
- jurisdictionLegal authority's scope
- governanceHow authority is exercised
- powerEnergy transfer rate
- controlAuthority to direct
dominance · command · rule · regime · hegemony · supremacy · autonomy · leadership
sanction
Approval or punitive measure
- approvalFavorable opinion given
- ratificationFormal approval by authority
- confirmationEstablishing something as true
backing · support · affirmation · consent · assent · recognition · acknowledgment · advocacy · blessing · imprimatur
authentication
Confirming genuine identity
- verificationProving something accurate
- substantiationProof of truth
- corroborationEvidence confirming another account
certification · accreditation · attestation · documentation · proof · evidence · testimony · credentialing · vetting · confirmation
vindication
Clearance of blame
- defenseProtection against harm
- rationalizationInventing acceptable motives afterward
- explanationStatement making something clear
grounds · reasoning · warrant · apologia · excuse · basis · rationale · argumentation
sovereignty
Supreme independent authority
- jurisdictionLegal authority's scope
- governanceHow authority is exercised
- powerEnergy transfer rate
control · dominance · command · rule · regime · hegemony · supremacy · autonomy · leadership · administration
legitimatinginvalidating
Making something null
delegitimizing · discrediting · disqualifying · nullifying · repudiating
legitimatinginvalidating
Making something null
illegalizing · criminalizing · outlawing · annulling · voiding