- past tense form of legitimize.
- past participle of legitimize.
legitimized
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That victory made the Myanmar native a champion questioned by some, but Van legitimized his reign by prevailing in a grueling battle against Tatsuro Taira last May, stopping his challenger in the final round.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026
The Declaration of Independence legitimized the cause of the rebels but also empowered them to brand loyalists as traitors who could be legally sentenced to death.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 9, 2026
Medieval belts also managed a celebration of the pregnant silhouette, but devotion to Mary rather than patriotic “populationism” legitimized it.
From Slate ● Jul. 21, 2025
Lincoln had to step gingerly, for a declaration of war against his own people was loathsome but more importantly would have legitimized the Confederacy as a nation able to establish diplomatic ties internationally.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 30, 2024
In any case, the one man paved the way for the deeds of the other, in a sense foreshadowed and even legitimized them.
From "The Stranger" by Albert Camus
