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
Later that year, however, GOP lawmakers blocked a reauthorization vote needed to legalize retail sales of recreational cannabis after
Republicans won a majority in the House of Delegates.
—
A.j. Herrington, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
An impact study released before the November election estimated that legalizing liquor sales would add 114 jobs in Burleson and boost the city’s annual tax revenue by approximately $253,961.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2025
Colorado voters approved Proposition 122 in 2022 to legalize natural psychedelics, after Oregon voters in 2020 approved legalizing psilocybin for therapeutic use.
—Kate Ruder | Kff Health News, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2025
Sports gambling was legal only in Nevada, and, in response to other states exploring the possibility of legalizing, the leagues lashed out.
— Made By History, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
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A.j. Herrington, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
An impact study released before the November election estimated that legalizing liquor sales would add 114 jobs in Burleson and boost the city’s annual tax revenue by approximately $253,961.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2025
Colorado voters approved Proposition 122 in 2022 to legalize natural psychedelics, after Oregon voters in 2020 approved legalizing psilocybin for therapeutic use.
—Kate Ruder | Kff Health News, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2025
Sports gambling was legal only in Nevada, and, in response to other states exploring the possibility of legalizing, the leagues lashed out.
— Made By History, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legalize. Accessed 31 Mar. 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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