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legitimar

to legitimize

verb leh-hee-tee-MAHR Rare

Also means

to legalize

Usage Note

Legitimar means to give something or someone official or moral legitimacy. It is often used in political discourse: legitimar un gobierno, legitimar una práctica. The reflexive legitimarse ('to legitimize oneself') is also common. Do not confuse with legalizar ('to make legal'), which is a narrower administrative act.

Examples

"Las elecciones legitimaron al nuevo gobierno."

Natural Translation

The elections legitimized the new government.

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