legitimize
v. C1 Advanced US //ɫəˈdʒɪtəˌmaɪz// le·git·imize
v. to make something seem legal, acceptable, or true. You use this when you want to show that a new idea or action is not wrong.
v. to make something legal, acceptable, or valid. Often involves providing a justification or a formal endorsement to remove the stigma of a previously questionable practice.
The new law will help legitimize the use of renewable energy.
By publishing their findings in a peer-reviewed journal, the researchers hoped to legitimize their controversial theory.
The government's decision to regulate the cryptocurrency market was seen as an attempt to legitimize the asset class and attract institutional investors.
From legitimate + -ize.