Legitimatize: meaning, definitions and examples

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legitimatize

 

[ ləˈjɪtɪmətaɪz ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

legal status

To legitimatize means to make something legitimate or acceptable according to laws or social norms. This process often involves granting legal status or recognition to an entity, relationship, or practice that was previously considered illegitimate. For example, children born out of wedlock can be legitimized through the marriage of their parents. The concept extends to various fields, including politics, social justice, and ethics, where certain actions or systems are made valid in the eyes of society.

Synonyms

authorize, legally recognize, sanction, validate.

Examples of usage

  • The council voted to legitimatize the new policy on public housing.
  • He sought to legitimatize his authority by gaining support from significant stakeholders.
  • The new law aims to legitimatize same-sex marriage across the country.

Translations

Translations of the word "legitimatize" in other languages:

🇵🇹 legitimar

🇮🇳 वैध करना

🇩🇪 legitimieren

🇮🇩 melegitimasi

🇺🇦 легітимізувати

🇵🇱 legitymizować

🇯🇵 正当化する

🇫🇷 légitimer

🇪🇸 legitimar

🇹🇷 meşrulaştırmak

🇰🇷 합법화하다

🇸🇦 شرعنة

🇨🇿 legitimizovat

🇸🇰 legitimizovať

🇨🇳 合法化

🇸🇮 legitimizirati

🇮🇸 lögmætis

🇰🇿 заңдастыру

🇬🇪 ლეგიტიმაცია

🇦🇿 legitimləşdirmək

🇲🇽 legitimar

Etymology

The term 'legitimatize' is derived from the word 'legitimate,' which comes from the Latin 'legitimare,' meaning 'to make lawful.' The roots of 'legitimare' stem from 'legitimus,' meaning 'lawful.' The prefix 'legit' was adopted into Middle English in the 15th century and entered modern usage in legal contexts. Over time, 'legitimatize' evolved to represent not only legal recognition but also social and moral acceptance. In contemporary discussions, the term is frequently used in debates about rights and recognitions in various societal frameworks, influencing legislation, norms, and practices globally.