Delegitimate vs. Legitimate — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 5, 2024
Delegitimate refers to actions or processes that deny legitimacy or validity, while legitimate means being authorized, justified, or in accordance with established rules.
Difference Between Delegitimate and Legitimate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Delegitimate involves questioning or removing the recognized legitimacy or authority of a system, institution, or law. On the other hand, legitimate refers to something that is accepted as right or proper within legal or moral frameworks.
A delegitimated government, for example, is seen as not having the lawful or moral right to govern, often due to corrupt practices or undemocratic processes. Whereas, a legitimate government is recognized as rightful and just, operating under the law and generally accepted ethical standards.
In legal contexts, delegitimate actions can refer to efforts to invalidate laws or regulations that are perceived as unjust or unethical. Conversely, legitimate laws are those that have been passed through proper legislative procedures and are compliant with higher laws.
Social movements may seek to delegitimate established norms or practices that are seen as discriminatory or outdated, pushing for societal change. Legitimate social movements, however, are widely recognized and operate within the bounds of law and societal norms.
While delegitimating can often carry a negative connotation, highlighting opposition and rejection, legitimating is generally viewed positively, emphasizing validation and acceptance.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Removing or denying recognized legitimacy or authority
Recognized as valid, authorized, or justified
Usage in Governance
Seen in contexts where governance is not accepted
Used when governance is accepted and justified
Legal Connotation
Often associated with actions challenging legality
Associated with lawfulness and adherence to rules
Social Context
Used to describe opposition to established norms
Pertains to accepted norms and practices
Overall Implication
Negative, suggesting invalidation
Positive, suggesting validation and acceptance
Compare with Definitions
Delegitimate
Refusing to acknowledge as valid or proper.
The community actions delegitimated the previously accepted norms.
Legitimate
Authorized or sanctioned by law or established rules.
The election process was deemed legitimate by international observers.
Delegitimate
To challenge the legal or moral acceptance of something.
The campaign aimed to delegitimate the authority of the corrupt officials.
Legitimate
Conforming to the law or to rules.
Her claim to the property was found to be legitimate.
Delegitimate
To render something unjustified or unauthorized.
The new evidence could delegitimate the initial findings.
Legitimate
Justifiable; reasonable.
His complaints about the service were legitimate.
Delegitimate
To withdraw or deny legitimacy or validity.
Activists sought to delegitimate the outdated policy.
Legitimate
Being exactly as purposed, not counterfeit or altered.
The document was proven to be legitimate and unaltered.
Delegitimate
Making something not recognized or accepted as valid.
The court's decision helped to delegitimate the discriminatory law.
Legitimate
Born of parents lawfully married to each other.
The legitimate heir to the throne was recognized by the court.
Delegitimate
(transitive) To cause (something) not to be legitimate; to make illegitimate, to illegitimize.
Legitimate
Conforming to the law or to rules
His claims to legitimate authority
Legitimate
Able to be defended with logic or justification; valid
A legitimate excuse for being late
Legitimate
Constituting or relating to serious drama as distinct from musical comedy, revue, etc.
The legitimate theatre
Legitimate
Make lawful or justify
The regime was not legitimated by popular support
Legitimate
Being in compliance with the law; lawful
A legitimate business.
Legitimate
Being in accordance with established or accepted rules and standards
Legitimate advertising practices.
Legitimate
Valid or justifiable
A legitimate complaint.
Legitimate
Based on logical reasoning
A legitimate deduction.
Legitimate
Born of legally married parents
Legitimate offspring.
Legitimate
Of, relating to, or ruling by hereditary right
A legitimate monarch.
Legitimate
Of or relating to drama of high professional quality that excludes burlesque, vaudeville, and some forms of musical comedy
The legitimate theater.
Legitimate
To legitimize.
Legitimate
In accordance with the law or established legal forms and requirements.
Legitimate
Conforming to known principles, or established or accepted rules or standards; valid.
Legitimate reasoning; a legitimate standard or method
Legitimate
Authentic, real, genuine.
Legitimate poems of Chaucer; legitimate inscriptions
Legitimate
Lawfully begotten, i.e., born to a legally married couple.
Legitimate
Relating to hereditary rights.
Legitimate
Belonging or relating to the legitimate theater.
Legitimate
A person born to a legally married couple.
Legitimate
(transitive) To make legitimate, lawful, or valid; especially, to put in the position or state of a legitimate person before the law, by legal means.
Legitimate
Accordant with law or with established legal forms and requirements; lawful; as, legitimate government; legitimate rights; the legitimate succession to the throne; a legitimate proceeding of an officer; a legitimate heir.
Legitimate
Lawfully begotten; born in wedlock.
Legitimate
Authorized; real; genuine; not false, counterfe`t, or spurious; as,$legitimate poems of Chaucer; legitimate inscriptions.
Legitimate
Conforming to known principles, or accepted rules; as, legitimate reasoning; a legitimate standard, or method; a legitimate combination of colors.
Tillotson still keeps his place as a legitimate English classic.
Legitimate
Following by logical sequence; reasonable; as, a legitimate result; a legitimate inference.
Legitimate
To make legitimate, lawful, or valid; esp., to put in the position or state of a legitimate person before the law, by legal means; as, to legitimate a bastard child.
To enact a statute of that which he dares not seem to approve, even to legitimate vice.
Legitimate
Make legal;
Marijuana should be legalized
Legitimate
Show or affirm to be just and legitimate
Legitimate
Make (an illegitimate child) legitimate; declare the legitimacy of (someone);
They legitimized their natural child
Legitimate
Of marriages and offspring; recognized as lawful
Legitimate
In accordance with reason or logic;
A logical conclusion
Legitimate
In accordance with recognized or accepted standards or principles;
Legitimate advertising practices
Legitimate
Authorized, sanctioned by, or in accordance with law;
A legitimate government
Common Curiosities
Can a process or institution be both legitimate and delegitimated?
Generally, an institution or process cannot be both simultaneously; it is either recognized as legitimate or subject to delegitimation.
What does it mean to delegitimate an action or policy?
To delegitimate an action or policy means to deny or remove its legitimacy, often suggesting that it is not justifiable or authorized.
How does one establish something as legitimate?
Establishing legitimacy typically involves adherence to legal frameworks, ethical standards, and social acceptance.
What are the effects of delegitimating a government?
Delegitimating a government can lead to loss of public trust, challenges to authority, and potential instability.
Why is legitimacy important in international relations?
Legitimacy in international relations ensures that governments and actions are recognized and respected by other nations, facilitating cooperation and stability.
What criteria are used to determine if a law is legitimate?
A law is considered legitimate if it is passed through proper legislative procedures, complies with higher laws, and generally accepted moral principles.
What role do ethics play in legitimating a policy?
Ethics play a crucial role in legitimating a policy by ensuring that it is morally justifiable and socially responsible.
How do social movements use delegitimation?
Social movements use delegitimation to challenge and change societal norms that they view as oppressive or outdated.
Is delegitimation always a negative process?
While often viewed negatively, delegitimation can be a force for positive change by challenging unjust or unethical practices.
What can lead to the delegitimation of a leader or government?
Factors such as corruption, abuse of power, or failure to adhere to democratic principles can lead to the delegitimation of a leader or government.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
