legitimize
Grant formal approval
To legitimize something is to make it legitimate—to give it official status, legal standing, or social acceptance.
Governments legitimize authority through elections.
Parents can legitimize a child born outside marriage.
Critics worry that engaging with fringe views legitimizes them: Debating conspiracy theorists only legitimizes their claims.
Also spelled legitimise in British English.
Official written authorization
- approveFormally accept or authorize
- empowerGrant authority or confidence
- licenseFormal grant of permission
- accreditFormally recognize as qualified
ratify · warrant · consent · delegate · commission · certify · entitle · enact
Make regular or standard
- standardizeMake things match norms
- formalizeMake official or systematic
- systematizeArrange into ordered structure
- entrenchFix firmly in place
codify · establish · regulate · incorporate · constitutionalize · mainstream · conventionalize · structure
Validate as true
- verifyConfirm accuracy or truth
- authenticateConfirm as genuine
- corroborateConfirm with supporting evidence
- justifyProvide adequate grounds for
affirm · uphold · vindicate · attest · substantiate · prove · support · establish
Make officially permitted
- decriminalizeAbolish penalties for
- lawfulPermitted by statute
- licitSanctioned by law
- permissibleSanctioned by authority
sanctioned · statutory · constitutional · enact · regulation · policy · reform · amnesty
permit
Official written authorization
- approveFormally accept or authorize
- empowerGrant authority or confidence
- licenseFormal grant of permission
accredit · ratify · warrant · consent · delegate · commission · certify · entitle · enact · deputize
normalize
Make regular or standard
- standardizeMake things match norms
- formalizeMake official or systematic
- systematizeArrange into ordered structure
entrench · codify · establish · regulate · incorporate · constitutionalize · mainstream · conventionalize · structure · embed
confirm
Validate as true
- verifyConfirm accuracy or truth
- authenticateConfirm as genuine
- corroborateConfirm with supporting evidence
justify · affirm · uphold · vindicate · attest · substantiate · prove · support · establish · credential
legalize
Make officially permitted
- decriminalizeAbolish penalties for
- lawfulPermitted by statute
- licitSanctioned by law
permissible · sanctioned · statutory · constitutional · enact · regulation · policy · reform · amnesty
support
To uphold or sustain
espouse · promote · champion · approve · commend · favor · embrace · sponsor · recommend · affirm
legitimizecriminalize
Make punishable by law
outlaw · illegalize · ban · prohibit · criminalise
legitimizedelegitimize
Deny rightful authority
stigmatize · condemn · denounce · discredit · ostracize
legitimizeinvalidate
Make null or void
delegitimize · undermine · discredit · disqualify · disprove
legitimized, legitimization, legitimizing, legitimizes, legitimise, delegitimize, delegitimized, legitimises, legitimised