legalize
verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz 
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
especially
: to give legal validity or sanction to
Examples of legalize in a Sentence
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
The government has legalized the use of the new drug.
Recent Examples on the Web
By the end of 2024, 24 states had fully legalized recreational weed, with growing public support pushing the movement forward.
—
Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2025
Cartels will only be put out of business by legalizing drugs and immigration, not by declaring war on them.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
That contrasts with $825 million in sportsbook revenue, showing the potential financial impact of online casino offerings should more states legalize them.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2025
The greater Sacramento region has increasingly grown as a gambling center since 2000, when California voters legalized tribal casinos with slot machines and table games.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacramento Bee, 11 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for legalize 
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Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2025
Cartels will only be put out of business by legalizing drugs and immigration, not by declaring war on them.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
That contrasts with $825 million in sportsbook revenue, showing the potential financial impact of online casino offerings should more states legalize them.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2025
The greater Sacramento region has increasingly grown as a gambling center since 2000, when California voters legalized tribal casinos with slot machines and table games.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacramento Bee, 11 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for legalize
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Dictionary Entries Near legalize
Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legalize. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
legalize
verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
wanted to legalize gambling in their city
Legal Definition
legalize
transitive verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
especially
: to give legal validity or sanction to
legalization
noun
legalizer
noun
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