Spanish Conversation · Level 37
74 words
Spanish word
legitimar
Pronunciation
IPA/lexitiˈmaɾ/
Meaning
- verbjustify
Example
¿Puedes legitimar esa decisión?
Can you justify that decision?
More examples
El gobierno intentó legitimar su actuación con un referéndum.
The government tried to justify its actions with a referendum.
Core concept
Formal recognition by an authority or legal procedure.
Common phrases
legitimar una decisión
justify a decision
legitimar la autoridad
justify the authority
legitimar un proceso
justify a process
Similar words
autorizar: Grants permission or approval for an action or request based on authorized power.
oficializar: Gives something an official status or public form, making it formally recognized.
legalizar: Makes something lawful by completing required legal procedures or registration.
validar: Confirms through checks or procedures that a document, process, or result is valid.
Definition in Spanish
Dar validez o reconocimiento oficial a algo, especialmente por una autoridad, una norma o un procedimiento.
Word origin
Derived from Latin legitimāre, built on legitimus 'lawful' plus the verb-forming suffix -āre to mean 'to make lawful' or 'to grant legal validity'.
Usage tips
- The verb typically appears with institutional objects (decisión, acto, matrimonio), signaling official ratification rather than a personal justification.
Other meanings
- legitimizeverb
- recognize as legitimateverb
Opposites
- invalidarinvalidateverb
- deslegitimardelegitimizeverb
Related words
- legitimaciónjustificationnoun
- legitimadojustifiedadjective
- legítimolegitimateadjective