From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishlegitimizele‧git‧i‧mize (also legitimise British English) /lɪˈdʒɪtəmaɪz/ verb [transitive] 1 RIGHT/JUSTIFIEDto make something that is unfair or morally wrong seem acceptable and right There is a danger that these films legitimize violence.2 LEGALto make something official or legal Acceptance by the UN would effectively legitimize the regime.3 SSCwhen parents legitimize a child, they get married so that the child becomes legitimate1(3)→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
legitimize• It is of value in education to legitimize and make productive use of interests.• He played a brief part in legitimizing black slavery.• The bottom line is, there is no stake in anyone legitimizing campaign financing.• Uganda's constitution still legitimized discrimination on the grounds of sex.• Unfortunately, material legitimizing drugs can be found in music, film, television, the Internet and mass market outlets.• The position, which still pertains, is as close as the Church has ever come to legitimizing family planning.• The National Salvation Front took power, later trying to legitimize its position with elections.• Crises can therefore be used to legitimize more strategic movement.• Elections will be held to legitimize the current regime.• The news media helped to legitimize the use of force by government troops.• Instead, they manipulated it to legitimize their own rule.From Longman Business Dictionarylegitimizele‧git‧i‧mize /lɪˈdʒɪtəmaɪz/ (also legitimise British English) verb [transitive]1to make something legal or official that had not been beforeHe hopes to legitimize private ownership of toll roads in California.2to make something acceptable or popularThose scandals have legitimized selfishness.→ See Verb tableOrigin legitimize (1800-1900) Latin legitimus; → LEGITIMATE 