legitimizes
Grants official standing
Legitimizes means makes legitimate—gives something official status, legal validity, or social acceptance.
A government might legitimize a rebel group by negotiating with it.
A scientific study might legitimize a folk remedy.
Marriage legitimizes children born before the wedding.
Critics argued the interview legitimized his extremist views.
The word often carries skepticism about whether something deserves the credibility it's receiving.
Grant formal permission
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
- empowerGrant authority or confidence
- mandateFormal authoritative directive
- officiatePerform formal duties
decree · commission · license · permit · charter · delegate · entrust · enfranchise
Confirm as true
- authenticateConfirm as genuine
- verifyConfirm accuracy or truth
- confirmValidate as true
- substantiateProve something is true
certify · attest · corroborate · document · prove · evidence · demonstrate · establish
Make regular or standard
- acceptConsent to receive
- mainstreamDominant cultural current
- recognizePerceive as known
- acknowledgeConfirm receipt or truth
embrace · dignify · honor · respect · esteem · elevate · rehabilitate · redeem
Make officially permitted
- decriminalizeAbolish penalties for
- codifyOrganize into formal rules
- enactPass into law
- statutoryEstablished by enacted law
constitutional · lawful · licit · permissible · compliant · enforceable · sanctioned · regulatory
authorize
Grant formal permission
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
- empowerGrant authority or confidence
- mandateFormal authoritative directive
officiate · decree · commission · license · permit · charter · delegate · entrust · enfranchise · deputize
validate
Confirm as true
- authenticateConfirm as genuine
- verifyConfirm accuracy or truth
- confirmValidate as true
substantiate · certify · attest · corroborate · document · prove · evidence · demonstrate · establish · affirm
normalize
Make regular or standard
- acceptConsent to receive
- mainstreamDominant cultural current
- recognizePerceive as known
acknowledge · embrace · dignify · honor · respect · esteem · elevate · rehabilitate · redeem · destigmatize
legalize
Make officially permitted
- decriminalizeAbolish penalties for
- codifyOrganize into formal rules
- enactPass into law
statutory · constitutional · lawful · licit · permissible · compliant · enforceable · sanctioned · regulatory · legislation
legitimizesoutlaws
Fugitives from justice
criminalizes · delegitimizes · bans · prohibits · illegalizes
legitimizesinvalidates
Makes no longer binding
delegitimizes · discredits · nullifies · undermines · negates
legitimizesdelegitimizes
Removes perceived rightfulness
condemns · denounces · stigmatizes · discredits · vilifies
legitimize, legitimized, legitimization, legitimizing, delegitimize, delegitimized, delegitimizing, legitimizers, delegitimization