verb

legitimise

to legitimize, to legalize, to validate

The new government tried to legitimise its position.

The new government tried to legitimize its position.

((sth.)) to make (sth.) lawful or acceptable The new government tried to legitimize its position.

Synonyms: legalize, validate, authorize; Antonyms: delegitimize

From 'legitimate' plus the verbal suffix '-ize', meaning 'to make'. 'Legitimate' comes from Latin 'lex' (law).

The suffix '-ize' means 'to make'. So, to legitimize something is 'to make it legitimate'.

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