Illegitimize

To render something or someone as illegitimate; to declare or make appear unlawful or offensive, often in a social, legal, or moral context. This term is frequently used in discussions regarding family structures, legal standings, or moral conventions, where a party's rights, status, or value is called into question based on certain criteria or beliefs.

Illegitimize meaning with examples

• Many argued that the new law would illegitimize the work of caregivers, disregarding the essential contributions they make to society and the family unit. By failing to recognize their roles, these individuals were underappreciated, impacting their legal rights and emotional well-being significantly.
• During the debate, one speaker claimed that the opposition's policies would illegitimize traditional marriages, emphasizing that such changes might undermine the foundation upon which society was built, leading to potential chaos in social structures and family dynamics.
• In a shocking turn of events, the court's ruling seemed to illegitimize the previously recognized parent-child relationship, leading to widespread protests from advocates who believed such a decision jeopardized children's security and stability in loving homes, regardless of legal standing.
• The political maneuvers employed by some factions aimed to illegitimize the election results, fostering distrust among the electorate. This approach sought to manipulate public perception and weaken faith in democratic processes, threatening the integrity of future elections.
• By labeling a grassroots movement as radical, the authorities aimed to illegitimize its claims for civil rights, dismissing the voices of marginalized groups. This tactic intended to weaken their cause and maintain the status quo, perpetuating systemic inequalities.