as in to permit
to make (something) legal
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of legalize
In most cases, an official nude beach is one where local governments have legalized public nudity within a specific zone such as in Spain with nudist friendly beaches on the island of Formentera, and in Germany with naturist spots like the English Garden in Munich.
—
Disha Kalyankar, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Dec. 2024
The Kentucky Legislature passed a law last year that legalized the auction of alcohol confiscated by law enforcement.
—Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 27 Nov. 2024
Massachusetts passed a bill legalizing sports betting and estimated $35 million in annual tax revenue.
—Brian Curcio, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Still, other locations have decriminalized or legalized these mushrooms.
—Lydia Kariuki, The Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for legalize 
Disha Kalyankar, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Dec. 2024
The Kentucky Legislature passed a law last year that legalized the auction of alcohol confiscated by law enforcement.
—Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 27 Nov. 2024
Massachusetts passed a bill legalizing sports betting and estimated $35 million in annual tax revenue.
—Brian Curcio, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Still, other locations have decriminalized or legalized these mushrooms.
—Lydia Kariuki, The Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for legalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalize
Verb
-
Strikes that endangered more than 100 civilians were occasionally permitted to target a handful of Hamas leaders, as long as senior generals or sometimes the political leadership approved, according to four Israeli officers involved in target selection.Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024
-
However, smaller fireworks like sparklers and fountains are permitted, per the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.Natalie Davies, Detroit Free Press, 25 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Among those sanctioned are two North Korean defense officials, No Kwang Chol and Kim Yong Bok, accused of bolstering military cooperation with Russia, including deploying thousands of troops and supervising their activities.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
-
The state does not sanction teacher certifications for those who mistreat students unless there is a criminal conviction.Nolan McKendry | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Those negotiations helped improve logistics, allowing the United States to increase deportation flights to countries in the Western Hemisphere, as well as to places, including China, that previously refused to accept their citizens.Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024
-
If a ground lease might allow the tenant to do something risky or use its flexibility for leverage against the owner, that can be a problem.Joshua Stein, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The agreements were approved by a senior Pentagon official who oversees the military court at Guantanamo Bay.Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2024
-
In September 2023, California approved the Climate Accountability Package, a pair of bills aimed at creating sustainability reporting requirements.Jon McGowan, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Craft is the connective tissue of our history, weaving itself through each iteration and enabling new players to interpret it in novel ways.Bill Connolly, Rolling Stone, 30 Dec. 2024
-
The partnership enables the Pakistani vertical denim manufacturer to provide digital product passports accessed via QR codes to its clients with footprint assessments and supply chain visualizations.Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Publishers have historically licensed their characters to Hollywood studios, offloading much of the financial risk.Cecilia D’Anastasio, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
-
Expert Insight Newsweek previously spoke to Jennifer Kelman, a family therapist, licensed clinical social worker, and parenting expert at JustAnswer, an online Q&A service connecting users with experts.David Faris, Newsweek, 29 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
In both, residents are learning how to make and accept payments in bitcoin as well as to use bitcoin as a savings technology.Frank Corva, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
-
Cincinnati and state transportation officials are accepting comments on the Wasson-Armleder Shared Use Path online, or by phone, mail or email.Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 1 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to legalize
Thesaurus Entries Near legalize
Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalize. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share