as in to permit
to make (something) legal
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of legalize
The federal law paved the way for companies to sell products with THC derived from hemp rather than marijuana across most states, even if those areas haven’t legalized marijuana.
—
Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025
Five states − South Carolina Mississippi, Utah, Oklahoma and Idaho − have legalized firing squads as an execution method, most recently Idaho in 2023.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025
Sports betting has taken off in the U.S. since it was legalized in 2018, and research shows gambling addiction may be rising along with it.
—Simon Spichak, Health, 1 Mar. 2025
Homosexuality between consenting adults was legalized in Sweden in 1944, but it was classified as a mental illness until 1979.
—Natasha Gural, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025
Five states − South Carolina Mississippi, Utah, Oklahoma and Idaho − have legalized firing squads as an execution method, most recently Idaho in 2023.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025
Sports betting has taken off in the U.S. since it was legalized in 2018, and research shows gambling addiction may be rising along with it.
—Simon Spichak, Health, 1 Mar. 2025
Homosexuality between consenting adults was legalized in Sweden in 1944, but it was classified as a mental illness until 1979.
—Natasha Gural, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legalize
Verb
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Women were soon permitted entry into marathons and swimming races.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
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This safe and fast shave permits quick movement around the contours of the neck and jawline, where hairs are captured at multiple angles.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Associated Press reports there are 14 states that have sanctioned girls flag football as a high school varsity sport.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2025
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The Kingpin Act prohibits anyone in the U.S. from engaging in deals or transactions with people or businesses sanctioned by the Treasury Department.—
Brittny Mejia,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Alcantara struck out four and didn’t allow a single walk in 70 pitches, while Senga struck out eight and walked one using 77 pitches.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2025
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This advisory applies to Danish citizens who need to apply for a visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which allows travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries to enter the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Earlier this month, the pope approved a new three-year reform process for the Catholic Church.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN,
23 Mar. 2025
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The hotel was approved by four council members during the Feb. 3 council meeting, with Register and Stadick voting against it.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Translated, money’s sole purpose is as an agreement about value among wealth producers that enables them to exchange wealth of roughly equal value with each other.—
John Tamny,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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Solutions like these improve health and education outcomes, empower women, and enable families to thrive, transforming their futures.—
Matt Damon,
TIME,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Netflix’s answer, in the short term, has been licensing.—
Matt Craig,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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Newsmax licenses another show that entertained election conspiracies, the Howie Carr Show; its employees are not involved in their production, the lawyers added.—
Maddy Lauria,
NPR,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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New York declined to accept the first two hammers, cutting the team’s lead to a single point, before Horschel’s long putt snaked into the hole at the 14th to give Atlanta a dramatic lead.—
George Ramsay,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2025
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Each household can bring up to 20 residential tires for proper disposal; commercial tires will not be accepted.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legalize. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.
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