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legitimize

verb [T] (UK usually legitimise)
 
 
/ləˈdʒɪt.ɪ.maɪz/ US  /-ˈdʒɪt̬-/ (US legitimate) formal

Definition

to make something legal or acceptable: The government fears that talking to terrorists might legitimize their violent actions.Legislation and law-making
(Definition of legitimize verb from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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