VERB
使（尤其是坏事）合法化；正式批准（或认可）；证明…为有理（或正当）
To legitimize something, especially something bad, means to officially allow it, approve it, or make it seem acceptable.
例句
They will accept no agreement that legitimizes the ethnic division of the country...
他们不会接受任何使国家民族分裂合法化的协议。
Images which glorify violence and cruelty, serve to legitimise such behaviour.
这些美化暴力和暴行的图片，就是要使此等行为合理化。