legitimize

4 definitions • 3 examples

to make something legal or acceptable:

The government fears that talking to terrorists might legitimize their violent actions.

to make something legal or acceptable

to make something that is not fair or honest seem acceptable:

He called efforts to legitimize medical marijuana "despicable".

to make something operate in a way that is legal:

Many registered companies maintain that the licensing process is the only way to legitimize the industry.